The Managing Director of Absa Bank Mumba Kalifungwa has handed Shs26 million to the team that will represent Uganda at the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympic games.
The Shs26 million cheque was received by Donald Rukare, the President Uganda Olympics Committee and Chairman of National Council of Sports.
The received a cheque is an addition to the Shs 54.5 million sponsorship funds directed towards medical care, health insurance and training kits for the team of 22 that comprises boxers, athletes, swimmers among other sports disciplines.
Speaking at Kabira Country Club, Mumba said the money will be wired on personal accounts of the 22 representatives with each getting Shs 1 million.
He applauded Uganda Olympic Committee for the journey so far taken. “It is the first time I am interacting with Olympic athletes. It is always an honour to interact with young people who are raising their national flags high on the international stage,” he said.
“Absa is a proudly African financial services partner, and we leverage this identity to breathe life into as many aspects of African excellence as we can. We believe that for Uganda and Africa to grow, we need to work together in all our respective capacities to stand firmly behind the ideas and the people that are taking us to the peak,” he said.
He said the pool of highly talented and committed sportsmen and sportswomen in Uganda needs no introduction and deserves all the support and encouragement they can receive from the stakeholders who are interested in seeing them soar to heights.
“As Absa, this is one of the ways through which we are stepping up to the plate. We are putting our money where our mouth is to say that not only are we rooting for you to succeed in Tokyo and in your chosen sports, we are also heavily interested in seeing you succeed in your personal lives.” he said
Mr. Rukare applauded Absa for always stepping up to support the country’s talents and lending a hand towards the growth of the sports in Uganda. “We appreciate and always grateful for the support you have given us” he said
The Ugandan middle-distance runner Halimah Nakaayi lauded the bank for the support and said she is ready and fit to challenge her competitors come July.
“More other athletes will be joining the team because the qualification exercise is still open. I am sure we shall fry our flag high,” she said
He encouraged the team to open up accounts with the bank to help them plan and manage their future. This year’s summer Olympics will take place between 23rd July and 8th August, after being postponed from 2020 over the COVID-19 pandemic. In another historical occurrence, Uganda will for the first time in history send a team composed of more women than men, with 12 women out of 22.
