ATHLETICS COACH IVAN SPEAKS ABOUT HIS LIFE AS ATHLETE AND COACH

 *1.Q- Welcome Mr Ivan Wesonga please tell us about yourself when and where were you born?*

1.Q. I was born  to Mr Mayende Wilberforce Maliba and Mrs.Nekesa Winfred Mayende in Buluumbi Health centre 3 on the 9 October 1989.I love to bring out the best in others and strive personally to better my self as a coach daily

*2Q- Where did you attend your primary, secondary schooling and in which years?*

2Q.I attended a couple of primary schools including st kizitio lira,gulu prison nursery,mitala maria primary school in Mpigi,Preparatory primary in jinja,win and joan primary in busia and finished my primary seven at Buyengo primary school Busia ,Uganda 2002.

My Secondary school started at St Peters College Tororo ,I later moved to Jovens high school Entebbe where I did my O level in 2006.

London college of st Lawrence Maya was my choice for A level and I graduated from there with 

PCB/M in 2008

*3.Q- Tell us how was performance in athletics during your primary and secondary levels?*

3Q.During my primary i always came number 3 or 2 but i was never allowed to compete for the school because i was too tiny.The teaches always said i could not handle the district level.at secondary school,i was involved in running for my house but never made the school team in any individual event.It only got better when i  joined st lawrence schools and colleges where Mr. Sue sserwanga Hussein then at Pari campus took me up for the sprinters team that i improved drastically to the second fastest in all the campuses and fastest in my campus london college

*4.Q- Do you still remember teacher or coach who identified your talent in athletics and how it started in athletics*

4Q.Yes. Sue director  at st lawrence pari campus always took the best from all the campuses and made it a point to support them in all ways.

*5.Q- What inspires you to be an athlete?*

5Q.The fun in sport motivated me to be an athlete at 15yrs as i grew up it was more about achieving my true potential and doing my best at all times.

*6.Q- Can you give us the names of your training partners and how did they contribute for you performance in sport?*

6Q.I have had a couple of training partners but the ones i had at high school(climate onyango ,Nwang Christopher,Nsamba Hardman and Demas stand out among the many) .We chased the same dream at a very young age .We dared to aim for the sky and held onto the clouds at least.As a senior athlete I trained mostly alone.My performances were a mile away from the others so they could not train with me.

*7.Q- What motivated you to take running as part of your life?*

7Q.In running i always felt i had much to offer and there was always hope for me to improve as a sportsman ,meet new people with common dreams,see new places and stay healthy

*8.Q- Do you ever compete in any Ugandan National Champs and how was your performances?*

8Q.I competed in many of the national championships most time coming among the medal bracket.Though I attached very little value to them.I was more interested in University games and international events

*9.Q- Do you ever represents Uganda in any international champs?*

9Q.As a University student i was on the team to Daegu China 2011 but a hamstring injury kept me out of the opening rounds.

*10.Q- Name your first running club and tell us how you join?*

10Q.St lawrence Sprinters Club ,well here you had to be a student at st lawrence and among the best in all the 6 campuses

*11.Q- At what age did you start professional running in your career as an athlete?*

11Q.Never in my life .Proffessional training yes ,i got that from 2008 but as an athlete never as a pro.I was just a student competing against other older university students and few veterans.The structure in most countries here in Africa doesn't favour athletes going pro at home.Its like there is Zero management firms

*12.Q-  Who was your best coach and manager in your career as an athlete?*

12Q.My first coach was Tomusange the speed merchant and  shortly later Coach Kabuye Timothy now at Uganda Christian University as Head coach .Coach Kabuye really sacrificed alot for me and the other st Lawrence sprinters.I hope I live long enough to make him proud of his efforts.

The best manager in the world will always be my one and only Sue SSERWANGA HUSSEIN.He sacrifised atleast 6 years of his life to see us grow in the sport.

And from us many are being blessed

*13.Q- What is your best shoe brand as an athlete?*

13Q.As an athlete i just used to use any brand available.Currently most companies  like nike,Adidas,mizuno,asics,saucony,361° are making very good designs but with the knowledge i have accumulated i could die for newbalance

*14.Q- What was your best meals before and after the race?*

14Q.I used to have a heavy meal the night before the race mostly carbohydrates ,take an earlybreakfast atleast 3hrs before the race and kept a snack on me at all times and water.After the race i was free to have my heavy meal back.

Right now .Haaaaaa i can be very critical with my athletes depending on there individual races ,body types and behaviour

*15.Q- what was best times in the following events from: *100m* *200m* *400m?*

15Q. 100m 10.2ht,200m 21.4ht,400m 48.2ht

*16.Q- What is your best and worst race in your career as an athlete?*

16Q.I loved all my races when I was fit  and hated running unfit. I could say my best race was in 2013 January when i won the 200m at the East African University Games in Daresalaam.The worst was in 2015 where i didn't finish the 200m at a national trial.I didn't stop because of injury .It was the best start I had ever hard curving all the best guys at the time in the race before 80m but coming out of the straight away,I just could not go.I stood .I couldn't believe it I stood for real

*17.Q- Name your best event in track and why?*

17Q.100M,I am a precise person and 100 meters just gives me the chance to express my true self.I love the pressure and urgency needed to execute the race in the shortest time possible.Of late ,now as a coach my excitement for long-distance keeps growing

*18.Q- When did you start chasing your dream in Coaching?*

18Q.I always wanted to be a coach from 2008.Inquisitive and curious to find out and impliment the right thing.Why couldn't we run the 9's.Now I believe am right there

*19.Q- What's inspires you to be a Coach?*

19Q.I love seeing others learn and grow in to their potential .I attach alot of value helping others,i have accumulated alot of knowlenge and am still improving i believe i have alot to share  and give .

*Which events are you currently Coaching?*

I am qualified to coach all events from at least 5 different education certification systems;IAAF, IOC,USATF, UKATHLETICS ,Alison,Runners connect and others

I love new challenges as a coach.I am biased about Sprinting since I was one but I have coached more distance runners than sprinters

*20.Q- Give name of your first running club did Coach and how many clubs did your Coach?*

20Q.I coached  Sprinters sports academy ,Vine international,mukono high,and so many other district teams.I have also volunteered to coach a couple of individual athletes at University ,highschool and Para

*21.Q- Can you name some of big names in athletics as an Legend you helped, work with or you Coached?*

21Q. I trained with Nsamba Hardman then the world number for youth in 400m 2009,Nwang christopher was also among the best youths in the world at the time in the world,currently i have spotted the latest Uganda record 100m record holder Tarsis Orogot,I am also training some youths i believe are the future of sprinting in the names of Rajab Lomutho ,Santos Okabo,Jacinta and many more others.I would also love to take this chance to mention people like Okot benson,Muhereza Davis,Mark otieno,Mary Onapa,Zawede,Bigombe and many others that are really doing all they can to develop their talents.

*22.Q- What are the challenges did you face in your career as a Coach?*

22Q.Where i coach in Uganda mostly,The country has no system to pay coaches for their work and the clubs that could pay a coach decently for his service are prisons,police,wildlife and the like are government entities.So an athletics coach is not a well paying profession and in most countries here in Africa,trust me it ain't a profession at all.You got to have the passion for it and be very creative to make ends meet.

The other challenge i have had is  facilities are not really in the new age ,we do alot of assumptions while training yet the science has gone so far to simplifying training methods and principles.About this question i can go on and on .

Allow me to write about this one for you Mr.Pace .I will forward an article.

But you got to know this now,our ability to advance as coaches relys very much on knowledge acquired and we are trying in Africa but we aint doing enough yet we have all it takes,we have the institution of learning, we have the passion ,we have the experience .All we need is to come together and complement each other .We don't need devided world class performances  around the African continent .We need a unified dominance and together we can do it.

Can you imagine there are no Coaching courses or education systems designed by our biggest bodies on the continent?

And some that are there are discredited in other parts of the world.

This is very bad considering the dominance we have in certain specific events in Africa .For instance African Athletics Association should have the most sought for long distance running course in the world by now .

*23.Q- How this Covid 19 pandemic affects your day to day coaching activities?*

23Q.It was serious ,very disappointing and the challenge is still on.I couldn't coach at all the way i was used to,big groups.So i settled for a few athletes that i could work with while also keeping in mind the SOPs set by the government

*24.Q- How did you manage to keep your athletes fit and focused during in this erra of Lockdowns?*

24Q.Most of the athletes i work with are youths ,my targets are set over many years so it allows me to switch there short term goals to general fitness  and adjust them accordingly.Mostly you have to be mindful of the training volume and intensities of your athletes .When the stadiums were closed i put them on mostly strength work that was possible in small spaces

*25.Q- Do you hold any post in provincial athletics board?*

No.

*26.Q- What do you think should be done to improve athletics in your country?*

26Q.There has  been a stereotype here at home for long distance .Every one believed Uganda could only perform at certain distances mostly long distance and may be 400m for sprinters.When we have more  equal opportunities for all events ,we shall move a milestone.

we need to buld capacity to train our own coaches under our own certification system and also 

put up youth development programs .

*27.Q- What's your future plans in sport?*

27Q.I am already setting a trend for youth sport development,management and coaches education.So am chasing that am sure many others share the same with me so we just need to meet and make it happen once and for all

*28.Q- What's your motivational and encouragement words to the upcoming athletes and Coaches?*

28Q.It always simple for athletes be original not someone else.Have your own personality do your best and trust in God. Believe in yourself and never give up on your dream. Coaches plizz always look forward to improving your knowledge and if possible sacrifice to make someone achieve their dream.

*29.Q- Your words on age cheating and drug use in sport?*

29Q.Its not fair but this case is on the research,science, policies and associations that manage  curbing drugs in sport.Cheats have always been their and they will never go.We need to upgrade our policing.

*Your words on Ugandan Olympics Team*

Team Uganda of 56 People for Tokyo Olympics 2020:

Athletics:

Esther Chebet, Sarah Chelangat, Albert Chemutai, Prisca Chesang, Ronald Musagala, Winnie Nanyondo, Halima Nakaayi, Joshua Cheptegei, Jacob Kiplimo, Oscar Chelimo, Stephen Kissa, Peruth Chemutai, Mercyline Chelangat, Immaculate Chemutai, Juliet Chekwel, Stephen Kiprotich, Filex Chemongesi, Fred Musobo, Shida Leni

Boxing:

Catherine Nanziri, Musa Shadir Bwogi, David Kavuma Ssemujju

Rowing:

Grace Kathleen Noble

Swimming:

Kirabo Namutebi, Ambala Atuhaire

Officials:

General officials:

Hon Denis Hamson Obua (head of delegation), William Blick (IOC Member), Dr Donald Rukare (President NOC), Beatrice Ayikoru (Chef De Mission), Dr. Bernard Patrick Ogwel (General Team manager), Dr. Jacqueline Nana Nakiddu (Team doctor), Prossy Namusisi (Physitherapist), Tom Oomen (Physiotherapist), Shadiah Nakamanya (Chaperone), Aisha Nassanga (Media Liaison), Elijah Njawuzi (Team Admin), Ivan Mugowa (Team Admin), Moses Mwase (NOC), Ganzi Mugula (Athletes Representative)

Technical officials:

Adrianus Ruiter (Coach, Athletics – Tokyo), Faustino Kiwa (Coach, Athletics – Sapporo), Gordon Ahimbisibwe (Coach, Athletics – Sapporo), Domenic Otucet (Official – Athletics, Tokyo), Margaret Ijala (Coach – Athletics, Tokyo), Narisesio Bigingo (Coach – Athletics, Tokyo), Benjamin Njia (Coach – Athletics, Tokyo), Andrew Sorowen (Official – Athletics, Tokyo), Patrick Lihenda (Coach, Boxing), Hassan Mohammed Mulandi (Coach, Boxing), Rodrick Muhumuza (Coach, Rowing), Ahsan Iqbal (Coach, Rowing), Muzafaru Muwanguzi (Coach, Swimming), Dunstan Nsubuga (NOC), Sadik Nasiwu (NOC), Salim Ssenkungu Musoke (ITO, Weightlifting), Aciga Fula (ITO, Boxing)

Just know we are expecting Medals.Our team is small but very strong

It is the world against Uganda in the 5000m and 10000m men Finals😂😂

😂 Yes,first he was a student at Bugema University as I was in Uganda Christian University.We last competed in the games of 2014 in Mukono.He won both 5000m and 10000m as I dominated in mine as well .Joshua is one of the most down to earth people chatting with juniors at trials and easy to approach.I was just chatting with him recently.Trust me when I say with the field built up for the Olympics for 10000m we got a mouth watering 10k coming

*30.Q- In brief tell us about your family and their support to your profession as sports person?*

30Q.Un fortunately i did not have alot of support from my family in my sports career ,this was one of the biggest hindrances i encountered . As a coach everyone is so positive, maybe be because I always produce results.Sometimes the people who are closest to us always want us to be at our best.