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Mr Pace Show Question and Answer
Presenter: Collen Makaza
Guest: Mr A .Muhammed
Date: 30 August 2021
Time: 1800hr to 2030hr
Venue: Chitungwiza Harare Zimbabwe
Contacts: +263 733741960/+263776769684
Email mrpacemakaza@gmail.com
Compliments of the day to you ladies and gentlemen, our show will begin at 19:30 tonight with our guest Mr A. Muhammad
*I want welcome our guest once again because our show is about to start and Mr
Muhammad please acknowledge your presence Sir*
Good Evening Members. Very happy to be with you for this program.
*First question* 👇
*1.Q- Mr A. Muhammed tell us about yourself, when and where were you born?*
I am known as Abdallah Muhammed Gismallah, The son of the late Muhammed Abdallah Madaraka Gismallah.
My Mum was the late Jimia Juma Beckit.
I was born in Kampala Uganda in December 1965,
👆👆👆
I suppose I have answered that before it has been asked.
That makes me a Sr Citizen and I have been in Track and Field for over 2 Decades.
*2Q- Where did you attend your primary, secondary schooling and in which years?*
A.2- I began my Pre-Primary Education in Nairobi Kenya and part of early primary education as well up to Primary two.
I then joined St. Mary's College Kisubi between 1979 to 1982 for my Ordinary Level (Jr Secondary Education From S.1 to S. 4)
And then Gombe SS for my Advanced Level S. 5 and S 6)
Those were probably some of the Best Schools of our Times in Academics but unfortunately less in Sports.
But in later Years St. Mary's Kisubi Produced some outstanding Athletes including some who were able to become Olympians.
I later came back to Uganda with my Paternal Grandmother and Continued with my Primary Education in Buganda Road Primary School in Kampala up to Primary Leaving in 1978.
I joined University, The first Private University in Uganda, The Islamic University in Uganda and graduated in Bachelor of Arts and later Post Graduate Diploma in Education.
So I am a Secondary School Teacher by Profession.
*3.Q- Tell us how was performance in athletics during your primary and secondary levels?*
3. I was a very good athlete in my Primary School and helped my House - Cookus to excel in Athletics Inter House Competition and also my School in the Inter Schools Championships.
I was Best in Sprints. I also played Football and Rugby in the School Team.
In Secondary School I continued to Excel in the Sprints but unfortunately our School could only Expose us up to the Inter Schools Competitions in the District. So although I was a District Champion in 100m and 200m, I never got opportunity to go for the Nationals that was a collection of the Best in the Whole Country.
*4.Q- Do you still remember teacher or coach who identified your talent in athletics and how it started in athletics*
In Primary School my Head Teacher Mr. Almeida (Rip) admired my Athletics potentials and tried to encourage me on.
At the Secondary School, our Teacher in Charge of Sports was limited by the Schools.Policy that places more emphasis on Academia and encouraged Sports Only up to the Inter Schools.
It was the Responsbility of the District Sports Sector to promote Sports from then on.
*5.Q- What inspires you to be an athlete?*
5. During my School Days I generally Loved Sports and Since I was Athletic, I was motivated by being the Best in School.
But then I think I Loved Football Best and knew the National and International Football Stars than the The Athlete. My Team was and is still Brazil and icon 'Pele'.
*6.Q- Can you give us the names of your training partners and how did they contribute for you performance in sport?*
6. My most Vivid Training partner in Athletics was Medi Kasirye. He now Lives in the U.K. We were fond Rivals in the 100m and 200m. That was during my time in St. Mary's College Kisubi.
The rivalry we had encouraged us to push ourselves to our full limits.
*7.Q- What motivated you to take running as part of your life?*
7. Athletics generally became part of my life after I graduated became a Teacher and was made the Teacher in Charge of Games and Sports. It was probably at this point that I was able to greatly contribute in Athletics to make up for what I may have failed do so in my School Days.
In my School Days I was able to even play Club Football but my Peers up today still admire my unexploited Athletics potentials.
*8.Q- Do you ever compete in any Ugandan National Champs and how was your performances?*
Like I said earlier, regrettably NO. Even when I was a School and District Champion. Unfortunately I was never to know my full ability.
To day I can NEVER NEVER deny opportunity to expose an excellent Athlete.
I thing this was largely because of less opportunities during our times.
But even today one can only be able to discover and promote potential if he is in the 'Right Environment'
Most Schools and communities in Uganda do NOT promote Athletics.
Uganda is more of a Football Nation although Athletics continues to out us on the World Map than Football.
*9.Q- Do you ever represents Uganda in any international champs?*
As an Athlete No
As an Official and Coach - Yes.
Many times through the Years.
I was DOHA World Championship as a Team Coach
*10.Q- When did you start coaching and Officiating?
I got my First IAAF Athletics Coaching Certificate in 1996 and from then on I have done very many Courses including become an International Athletics Technical Official and also A Technical Officials Lecturer. I have conducted many Technical Officials Courses in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Eritrea etc.
I also did a Leadership Education in Athletics Program (LEAP) course in the U.K. in 1997,
I also have Certificates in Sports Administration
So through out my life as a teacher since 1993 to date I have been Coaching, Administrator and Officiating Athletics
*I want to apologise because we cannot continue with our show today because there is a networks problem, so we will continue with our show*
*11.Q- What inspires you to be an Coach and Official?*
11. My environment. My first duty Station as a Secondary School Teacher.(Bombo SS)
It was a Sports School near the Army. So we built a strong Athletics Camp which produced many National and International Stars between 1996- 2004
- The School was Supportive and even our Head Master became the President of our National Athletics Federation.
- My second Station Gombe SS was Supportive as well.
*12.Q- What's are your latest levels of both coaching and Officiating?*
-I am a Level 2 Athletics Coach
- Both an NTO(National Technical Official) and an ITO(International Technical Official).
- TOECS Lecturer
*13.Q- Do you ever Officiating international meets like Olympics or World Championships?*
Olympics Not yet.
But the latest and probably highest Level of Officiation was the World U20 Athletics Championships Nairobi Kenya
- World Cross Country Championships in Kampala 2017
All the East Secondary Schools Games since 2010.
World Championship Not yet as well.
*Why both coaching and Officiating at the same time?*
In Uganda and indeed in Most parts of Africa Coaching, Officiating and Management of Athletics is Voluntary Work
So I happened to get my Certifications in Coaching, Officiating and Lecturing.
I do Most on Voluntarily basis
And it is something I Love to do.
*14.Q- What area do you specializes in Coaching and Officiating?*
Sprints.
Track Referee
Also very Good at Timer and Announcer
But I can Officiate anywhere since that what I teach.
*15.Q- Can you name your best and worst competitions in your officiating career?*
Best World U20 Athletics Championships Nairobi 2021
Worst - Eastern.Africa Regional Youth Championships in Eritrea 2011.
*What happened in 2011?*
I had gone to Eritrea to Lecture TOECS (Officiating).
Coincidentally they were also hosting a Regional Youth Championships in Track and Field.
In the Process of trying to help them Officiate Well, I got so so tired.
Eritreans are BEST in Road and Distance Running but so wanting in other Track and Field Events.
*16.Q- At what age and when did starting coaching and Officiating?*
More seriously at age 31 when I got my Coach Certificate.
That is in 1996.
But I was already doing both by 1994
*17.Q- Name your best event in track and why?*
Although of late I love watching the 10,000m I still Love the 100m.
The Speed and Tension that Comes with it. 'Usain Bolts 9.58 WR and his antics has made the 100m Dash a Lovable event.
*18.Q- Do you have any person whom you think is responsible for your success in your coaching and Officiating?*
18. Generally my Love for Athletics in General is largely due to one of our Veteran Coaches and ex International in the Marathon and Long Distance Running,
Retired Major Benjamin Longiross. He along side other Coaches in our army like Gordon Ahimbisibwe really made me to Love Athletics. They encouraged me to upgrade my status through the Ranks.
We have worked together for over two Decades.
Through them I was able to be introduced into the Beautiful family of Athletics Coaches and Officials most of whom are veterans of the Game.
*19.Q- Do you hold any post in Ugandan provincial athletics board or national level?*
At our National Athletics Association known as Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) I sit in the Executive Committee as the Representative for the Coaches Association.
*What's your responsibilities as head of Coache's Association?
At the executive level ensure that opportunities for Coach Development is availed by putting in place
- Courses and Seminars.
*Ok will invite you for day 1 Seminar in Zim*😂
Thank you
*20.Q- Give name of your first running club did Coach and how many clubs did your Coach?*
Bombo Secondary School Athletics Club
Later:
- Gombe Secondary School AC
- Mpigi District Secondary Schools Athletics Team
- Luweero District Secondary Schools Athletics Team
- Butambala District Secondary Schools Athletics Team
- Islamic University in Uganda Athletics Team
- Uganda Secondary School Secondary Athletics Team
- National Youth Athletics Team etc.
*21.Q- Can you name some of big names in athletics as an Legend you helped, work with or you Coached?*
- Abraham Chepkirwok - Ugandas 800m National Record Holder
- Emong David Para Olympic Medalists in Rio 2016 and now also in Tokyo
- Negesa Annet World Bronze Medalists World U20 in Moncton Canada 2010
- Banura Maureen National Secondary and East Africa Secondary Schools Champion in 100m and 800m for many years 2012-2016
- Halima Nakaayi (Now World Champion in 800m ) Common Wealth Youth Champion in the 400m and 800m in Isles of Manchester 2011
And so many others that have gone through my hands.
*22.Q- What are the challenges did you face in your career as a Coach?*
By the way David Emong the other Day won a Bronze Medal in Para Olympics T46 1,500m in Tokyo in a PB
By the way David Emong the other Day won a Bronze Medal in Para Olympics T46 1,500m in Tokyo in a PB
Challenge as a coach is that in Uganda for me it's is still largely Voluntary, it is not a Profession.
I often have to share the little income to support Athletes most of whom begin from State of being Vulnerable but talented.
Another challenge is lack of Appreciate facilities and equipments especially for the Sprints.
*How this sport change your life financially?*
Through Athletics I have interacted widely and made many friends both in Uganda and Abroad.
I have also travelled very widely both in Uganda and Abroad. These interactions have created more opportunities for me and my Athletes.
Some of my Athletes who now live and work abroad eg USA support my Camp and also once in while support me as well.
It has not been very much financially by satisfactory.
*23.Q- How this Covid 19 pandemic affects your day to day coaching activities?*
Very very badly. The Athletes have been sent home to their villages to stay with their parents.
You should realiise that I run largely a high School Athletics Camp
*24.Q- How did you manage to keep your athletes fit and focused during in this erra of Lockdowns?*
Just trying to talk to them on phone and encouraging them to remain active and not to Completely Rest.
I have given them programs and hopefully they follow.
*25.Q- How coaching and Officiating change your life financially?*
It has given me opportunities and contacts that have been much more enriching that just monetary benefits.
*26.Q- What do you think should be done to improve athletics in your country?*
- Government should put more funding into Sports and even more into Track and Field Athletics which has proven to be giving positive image to the Country from the Results of our Elite Athletes.
- Improve infrastructure throughout the Country eg We have ONLY one Standard Tartan Track, 'The Mandela National Stadium in Kampala. Unfortunately for now we cannot access it because it is Covid-19 Referral Center and we hear it is to be used to host Afghanistan Refugees.
- Provide Standard Equipments eg Javelins, actually should remove taxes on imported equipments n facilities.
- Motivate coaches And T.O
Etc
And Pay Coaches. Most of young and Grassroot coaches deserve better
*27.Q- What's your future plans in sport?*
I want to retire by establishing a personal Athletics Training Centre.
*28.Q- What's your motivational and encouragement words to the upcoming athletes and Coaches?*
They should continue Working hard, share Notes and develop their Athletes to Elite and Professional Standards. There is some light at the end of the Tunnel with our Government Promising to Pay some Coaches. So the Young Coaches should continue upgrading their Status by taking up Courses to Greater Professional Standards.
- The Young Coaches should work together and help in Proffessionalising Athletics Coaching.
- As for the young Athletes they should also Work hard and Remain focused in order to take up Athletics as a Career.
- At ALL costs they should remain at School and at least get basic Education as they also participate in Sports.
- They should be Displined and God Fearing which are important ingredients for Success.
- We want to see our Female Athletes longer on the Track and we are ALL duty bound to help them archive that, eg Male Athletes and Officials should sexually abuse or misdirect the female athletes which in most cases puts a halt in their careers.
*29.Q- Your words on age cheating and drug use in sport?*
29. Age Cheating, which unfortunately is mostly in Africa is terrible. So bad. It does not give a level ground for the participants and very unfair to those who are compliant.
Age Cheating has Cost us the Scrapping of World U20 Athletics Championships and probably in the future even the World U20 Athletics Championships in future. These were very good Competitions for talent discovery and promotion.
As for Drugs Use which is mainly a vice of Western States, just as bad as age Cheating, maybe even worse.
World U18
*30.Q- In brief tell us about your family and their support to your profession as sports person?*
My core family mainly Made up of my 7 Children and Wife have been vet very supportive in my life as a promoter of Athletics.
- Our home has always been a home to Many many Athletes who have comfortably felt at home even long after their time with us
- My Wife is Qualified Athletics Coach as Well.
- Some of my Children are Volunteers and Athletics Technical Officials also.
- I am encouraging my daughter who is a Medical Doctor to take up some Courses on Sports Medicine
Generally they have been supportive and tolerated some of the inconvenience that come with it.
*Over to you guys Questions*
Any questions 10minutes
Coach Muhammed, as an experienced coach in your country how did you manage to produce more athletes qualifying and who are also medalist for World Championship and other International Championships?
Coach Muhammed, as an experienced coach in your country how did you manage to produce more athletes qualifying and who are also medalist for World Championship and other International Championships?
It has been a very long journey with support from various Stake holders.
I have been mainly in the High Schools System.
- Our Schools give fully paid academic Scholarships to Athletes who have excelled at Primary Schools. I and my colleagues look for that talent.
- We offer comprehensive training. Even during school Holidays.
- The School Exposes them to National Trials, School Competitions at various levels including the prestigious East Africa Secondary School Games.
- With ALL that exposure and trainings, the Athletes Improve their performance with support from other Coaches.
- They get opportunity to be selected in National Teams.
So these Success varies from Athlete to Athlete others get a break through much faster than others.
And those who make it inspire others as Role Models
Thank you coach for such great encouraging words
@Muhammad Coach One My great mentors I ran my first National secondary School games with Coach Abdallah as the District Head Coach in 2009 winning the 100m in 10.5s .May God bless you
Thank you Ivan. I appreciate that you did not disappoint going in to become a great Athlete at University and National level, and now One of Greatest Young Sprint Coaches. The future is Bright for you and Ugandan Young Sprinters.
Thank You Ivan.
Yeah l hear you Coach that's great we need to emulate that in all the districts and provinces around here and we can do better as a country
The end
*FINITO*
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