Emong aims for gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Ugandan’s medalist at the 2016 Rio and Tokyo Paralympics David Emong aims for gold at the Paris 2024 Games in France.

“I aim to win my first gold medal at the Paralympics after winning bronze and silver at the last two games,” Emong said.

“I have amassed enough experience to win Uganda gold this time having improved my performances in the previous editions of the games starting with bronze at the Rio Games in 2016 and silver at the Tokyo Games in 2020." 

This was during the team flag-off on Friday afternoon by the State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang, NCS chairman Ambrose Tashobya, General Secretary Bernard Ogwel, and officials from the Uganda Paralympic Committee.

David Emong, (left) Peace Oroma (middle) and Deniss Mbazira during the flag off ceremony

Emong (in athletics) leads the team of three other Paralympians including Peace Oroma (athletics), Dennis Mbazira (powerlifting), and swimmer Husnah Kukundakwe.

Emong will take part in the same athletics discipline of 1500m T46, followed by Peace Oroma in the Women's 1500m and 400m T13, Husnah Kukundakwe in the Women's 100m Butterfly S8, Women's 100m Breaststroke SB8, and Women’s 50m Freestyle S8, while Denis Mbazira will compete in the upto 88kg powerlifting.

This is the perfect time for Uganda to appreciate the Paralympians who excel as it did to the able-bodied athletes like Joshua Cheptegei who clinched 100 m after winning the 10,000m gold medal in France early this month.

Peace Oroma

“We are glad that the government has started realizing that the para sport is important in rejuvenating the lives of disabled hence giving them another chance at life,” Mpindi Bumaali, the president of Uganda Paralympic Committee noted during the ceremony.

However, the State Minister for Sports called upon all Ugandans to support sports for both the able-bodied and the disabled in anticipation of giving youth a source of livelihood.

“Government has now taken the centre stage of funding parasport through Uganda Paralympic Committee with sh1.2b which is a clear indicator that their efforts are greatly treasured and appreciated," he said.

“Yes, we are aware that they are working with a many sports disciplines like amputee football, wheelchair basketball and many others like the case is with Paralympians which calls for much more funding but surely with success registered in Paris, it can be used as a lobbying tool for much more funding in the coming years.” 

2024 Paris Paralympics

Athletics

Peace Oroma Women 1500m and 400m T13

David Emong Men 1500m T46

Swimming

Husnah Kukundakwe

Women's 100m Butterfly S8

Women's 100m Breaststroke SB8

Women's 50m Freestyle S8

Powerlifting

Dennis Mbaziira upto 88kg powerlifting