Time and a again, the Lacrosse association in Uganda deals singularly or partners with other entities to undertake special activities that are geared towards interventions to societies in need. These interventions may either be short-term or long-term programs as may be determined by availability of funds. On this page, you’ll find the currently ongoing special interventions programs
Uganda lacrosse Association runs newly established refugee programs in Palabek refugee settlement , Nakivale refugee settlement and Abjumani district.
As you are all aware Over 50% of the world’s refugees are children.
From those, 2.9 million school-age refugee children live in just 5 countries – Turkey, Pakistan, Lebanon, Uganda, and Sudan.
The first Global Refugee Forum took place on 16, 17 and 18 December 2019 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The aim of the three-day meeting was to generate new approaches and long-term commitments in support of the world’s 25 million refugees.
The Sporting world pledged support for refugees, ahead of the Global Refugee Forum. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that more than 80 entities – including National Olympic Committees, international sporting federations, national associations, clubs, and civil society organizations working through sport pledged to provide sporting opportunities to young refugees.
Over 80 organizations joined UNHCR and the International Olympic Committee to help young refugees discover their potential through sports.
We are proud to let you know that uganda lacrosse association shall be joining them. The three pledges that were jointly made are:
- 1. To promote and ensure access for all refugees, without distinction of any kind, to safe and inclusive sporting facilities.
- 2. To increase availability and access to organized sports and sport-based initiatives for refugee and hosting communities, actively considering age, gender, ability and other diversity needs.
- 3. To promote and facilitate equal access to and participation of refugees in sporting events and competitions at all levels.
The Global Compact on Refugees, the international framework for strengthened cooperation and solidarity with refugees and affected host countries, specifically recognizes the contribution of sport and sporting entities in the protection and well-being of refugees and the internally displaced
The pledges that were made reaffirm the commitment from the sports movement and key partners –from sports associations , governments to NGOs towards refugees which we are proud as uganda lacrosse for being apart of.
From January 29, 2020, until now, there have been almost an ongoing myriad of emails floating between Uganda lacrosse Association and some female box lacrosse coaches from British Columbia Indigenous community , such as Savanna Smith, Kiana Point, and grassroots program developer, Penni King, from PMLA to Kevin Sandy, founder and president of the Iroquois Lacrosse Program.
Growing lacrosse in any community takes time and willing and passionate volunteers. From showcasing lacrosse in schools and community events, and even looking for sponsors to help purchase equipment to grow the game and support its ongoing development. We all know there is enough competition for our athletes time but there is just something about lacrosse and the roots it has in our own people that is a driving force to keep it going.
Uganda is unique in the sense that it wants to “create an independent program that will not necessarily depend on a foreign force for its operation and survival”.
That sense of independence and autonomy will ensure that Box lacrosse in Uganda will still continue to grow once all of the visitors have come and gone. For certain, we know that providing equipment does not necessarily guarantee the game will be played. With that, you need a willing set of volunteers to help promote its development both on and off the field. Once that is in place, then the growth begins. And Uganda has been developing its field lacrosse athletes and coaches. While Uganda is fairly new to the World Lacrosse, it is not stopping in its quest to develop its athletes from the ground up.
To properly grow box lacrosse, similar to planting a seed, Uganda is looking at bringing over coaches to mentor coaches and athletes. It is not unheard of. In fact, the Canadian Lacrosse Association has been doing it in order to grow the sport of box lacrosse in smaller regions. The transfer of knowledge to the athletes, coaches, and ultimately, communities can then continue.
Uganda is also considering the deeper cultural connections to the game. Not only understanding the origins of lacrosse but also the potential for cross cultural exchanges to offer greater synergy and understanding between Nations. Iroquois Lacrosse Program with Kevin Sandy, has been instrumental in ensuring a greater understanding of the history of the roots of the game to Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities for over 20 years.
And this is where we are at. We all know that the growth of lacrosse can be difficult in any community. But we do know it can be done.
Box Lacrosse is a game that is called the fastest game on two feet for a reason. When opportunity beckons to grow the game, you get ready to train for what will ultimately be the most exciting game to occur knowing full well that in order to play the game well, we have to be ready to give 100 percent effort.
We look forward to seeing the growth of box lacrosse in Uganda and appreciate the email to join us in this initiative moving forward.