Paralympic star Ebong calls for support for kids with disabilities in sports

David Ebong, Uganda’s Paralympic icon, has called on parents to encourage their children with disabilities to participate in various sports disciplines.

Ebong, who made history by winning a silver medal in the men’s T46 1500m event at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, made the appeal during the Eastern Uganda Para Athletics Meet held at Soroti Sports Ground on Thursday, February 27, 2025.

“Look at me—I’m a person with a disability, but I didn’t sit back. Instead, I took up sports as a career for sustainability. That’s why I’ve managed to win several medals for the country,” Ebong shared.

Ebong is Uganda’s first-ever Paralympic medalist, having clinched silver in 2016. His success continued in 2017 at the World Para Athletics Championships in London, where he won Uganda’s first-ever gold medal in the 1,500m T46 event, finishing in 3:58.36 and defeating defending champion Samir Nouioua of Algeria.

He emphasized that children with disabilities are not defined by their limitations. “Children have disabilities, but they are not disabled. Allowing them to participate in sports can help them discover their talents, just like anyone else,” Ebong said.

The one-day competition, organized by the Uganda Paralympic Committee (UPC), attracted 45 para-athletes from regions including Kapchorwa, Bukwo, Iganga, Soroti, Jinja, Buikwe, Kween, Kalaki, and Mbale.

Stephen Olebe, the District Speaker for Soroti District Local Government, who attended as the chief guest, encouraged persons with disabilities to engage in sports as a means to improve their livelihoods.

“I’m well aware that talent doesn’t require formal education. Talent is God-given. Many people have become wealthy through sports without even a primary school certificate, yet they are richer than some with master’s degrees,” Olebe remarked.

Innocent Tumwesige, General Secretary of the Uganda Paralympic Committee, explained that the regional championship was aimed at talent identification ahead of the national trials scheduled for May 19, 2025, in Masaka City.

“We are using these trials to identify the best athletes who will be called up for the national trials. The national event will run for three days and will include final classifications to qualify athletes for the Para Games,” Tumwesige said.

Patty Emokori, the Principal Education Officer of Soroti City, highlighted the importance of nurturing the talents of people with disabilities.

“This event is crucial for tapping into the talents of people with disabilities. I urge parents to nurture and promote both the visible and hidden talents of their children with disabilities,” Emokori said. She also challenged participants to prioritize time management to compete effectively in upcoming national competitions.

Frank Tumuhimbise Tumwebaze, Deputy Speaker of Soroti City, who represented Mayor Joshua Edogu, thanked the Uganda Paralympic Committee for choosing Soroti as the host city.

“This sports event is the first of its kind to be held in Soroti City. I commend the organizers for bringing this opportunity to our community,” Tumwebaze said. He also urged the organizers to expand future events to grassroots levels to ensure broader participation.

“We should open up these kinds of sports activities to more people, not just focusing on those in towns and institutions,” Tumwebaze added.

The event underscored the potential of para sports to transform lives and highlighted the need for greater inclusion and support for athletes with disabilities in Uganda.