Tashobya to Team Uganda in Dakar: Success Is More Than Medals

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National Council of Sports chairman Ambrose Tashobya visited Team Uganda at the Games Village in Diamniadio, urging athletes to measure success by effort and improvement — not just medals.
Tashobya who was received at the Games Village by chef de mission Lydia Gloria Dhamuzungu, team administrators Elijah Njawuzi and James Kasumba, and safeguarding officer Patricia Ayebare, captains Joseph Sebatindira and Zara Marie Mbanga, delivered a message of encouragement to athletes who have already finished their events — and those still to compete.
“If You Gave Your Best, That Is Enough”
In his address, Tashobya urged the athletes not to define their Games by medals alone.
“If you know in that race you gave it your best, that is all that we needed from you,” he said.

“If success is only measured by the medals that you win, it means over probably 95 percent of the athletes will not have been successful.”
The message landed at a timely moment for athletes who have already completed their events in table tennis, swimming, rugby sevens, rowing, and badminton.
Tashobya told the team that by making Uganda’s small quota, they were already “among the best of the best” in the country. He urged them to record their Dakar performances — and aim to beat them next time.

Government Duty, not a Favour
Tashobya stressed that supporting athletes is the government’s responsibility.
“We are not doing you a favour. It’s our job,” he said.
He acknowledged ongoing investment in facilities for football, rugby, indoor games, and athletics, but admitted the lack of a standard 50m swimming pool still “pinches us hard.”
He also revealed that the government is pushing for regional sports academies, with the first set to be established in Hoima.
Long-Term Preparation the Key
Badminton coach William Kabindi called for more backing for federations and coaches in long-term athlete development.
“Compared to other countries, we have the shortest time of preparation,” Kabindi said. “Athletes need to be trained knowing that anytime there can be an opportunity.”
Tashobya agreed, stressing that medals are won years in advance — not weeks before the Games.
“The work that gives you a medal here, you do it three years behind that, not weeks or two to three months to the event,” he said. “It’s repetition, repetition, repetition over time.”
Tashobya urged the athletes to stay in school as part of building well-rounded individuals.
“I’m a big believer of what we call a student athlete, not an athlete student,” he said. “All of you can get degrees.”
Nakaayi Inspires Team
2019 World Champion Halimah Nakaayi also met the athletes in the Village after watching rower Marcel Otim compete at Saly Beach West.
Nakaayi and fellow Olympian Jamilah Lunkuse are two of the IOC’s 31 Athlete Role Models (ARM) at the Games.