Mbale Tigers : Completed projects

2005 - DEVELOPING SPORTS FOR YOUTH IN UGAND

A Total project cost: 144.967 SEK (Swedish crowns).

Own contribution from Twiga 13.897 SEK.

Funds from Forum Syd: 131.070 SEK.

Forum Syd has approved the final report.

Brief summary of the project

Twiga and Mbale Tigers Table Tennis Club have implemented a project to develop youth through sports. The method have been table tennis and education. Primary target group were 100 youth in Mbale Tigers. Secondary target group were siblings, parents and co-operation institutions.

The overall goal

- to empower the local people in a democratic and sustainable development of East African table tennis

- to empower the psychosocial capacity within the target group

- to establish Mbale Tigers as a role model for other similar organizations in Africa

- to find more partner institutions in the area

Project goals

- daily practice with a coach

- more members and a stronger organization with empowered administration

- to arrange sport activities with schools

- to raise the club income throughout income-generating activities

- to carry out education seminars in Hiv/aids-prevention, children rights, leadership, organization- and gender knowledge

- to widen the national and international network

- to administrate penfriendship between Uganda and Sweden

Results

The club has been developed through given activities:

- more members

- a well functioned office

- an increased knowledge in given seminars

- more females in the board

- information about the club has been widespread nationally and internationally

Positive side-effects

- two girls qualified to the Commonwealth Games in Australia

- the members have new friends in other cities and countries

- some members have attained free schooling through scholarships thanks to table tennis

- players parents have experiences more disciplined children

- Uganda Table Tennis Association have recognized that clubs can be developed outside capitals

- the club have started to write applications to foundations

Negative side-effects

- the club can not meet the big interest of table tennis due to limitations

- the security at the office was low, which resulted in 17 trophies were stolen.

Lessons learned of implemented project

- extra costs always come up. Therefore, be observant when drawing a budget. Add some budget for e.g. water, sanitation, electricity and security.

- it needs funds to start up income-generating projects, because voluntary workers is hard to find

- meeting with different kind of institutions, e.g. Ministry of Education and Sports, have given good results

- it is important that the club themselves find other sources through applications to foundations

- do not plan too many activities when you apply for funds. Either do not include too many co-operation institutions. It is better with quality than quantity

- involve people and companies who are related to sports

- to minimize the risk of failure if important people fall out, include many people in the co-operation!

Gender issues

- Strive towards a gender-balance in the Board

- Mbale Tigers has given more rights and responsibility to members through practical leadership and knowledge about organizations

DEVELOPING SPORTS FOR YOUTH IN UGANDA

Will be updated in July 2008