Uganda hockey player Martin Okello will in the summer take a Hockey Dreams Trip to the Netherlands thanks to Hockey Dreams Foundation (HDF). He will be joining HDF in the Netherlands’ two SportWays camps as staff.
This development was confirmed on Wednesday during the five-year anniversary dinner of Hockey Dreams Foundation held at Forest Cottages, Bukoto in Kampala. The event was attended by officials from HDF, Uganda Hockey Association (UHA), HDF coaches (game changers), and representatives from the national league clubs plus beneficiaries of HDF.
At the five-year anniversary dinner, Marlène Döderlein de Win who is the Country Support Officer for HDF in Uganda revealed that Okello is also invited by the Euro Hockey Federation to participate in the Youth Leaders Forum in Germany and will also be officiating under supervision of the FIH in the EuroHockey ID Championships 2023 in Munchen Gladbach.
“It will be a five-week scholarship…SportWays camps will last for two weeks. At the Youth Leaders Forum, he will learn more about organizational sport and that will be one of the main benefits of Martin coming to the Netherlands,” Marlène said.
Delight for Okello
Okello who is a coach with HDF says that he didn’t see this opportunity coming because they (HDF Coaches) are a large group but he will utilize the opportunity to turn himself into a better person.
“I am so excited and I can’t wait for that day to come. I expect to learn more about umpiring and how the game is played that side and all other aspects of the game,” Okello said adding that he’s very grateful to Hockey Dreams Foundation for the opportunity.
In 2022, coaches Innocent Raskara (Uganda) and Geoffrey Gama (Malawi) had an experience of a lifetime: their Hockey Dreams Trip to the Netherlands. A big part of this coach internship was joining SportWays hockey camps. To learn valuable lessons around coaching, kids, logistics, and much more.
Way forward
However, going forward, HDF plans to give more scholarships, engage in more community projects, start their own (HDF) league as well as initiate an African Hockey Experience or more popular Sports tourism.
Uganda Hockey Association appreciation
HDF is grateful to UHA for their cooperation and support to make a difference through the power of sport.
“We appreciate the outstanding commitment and contribution the Uganda Hockey Association makes in strengthening hockey, which allows young people to develop through hockey,” Marlene added.
UHA was awarded with a certificate and it was received by the association’s executive members present, that is; Chairperson – Philip Wafula, Vice Chairperson – Joshua Opolot and General Secretary – Stanley Tamale.
HDF Coaches/Game Changers
HDF coaches received certificates at the anniversary dinner. These coaches receive support in their leadership, organizational and administrative skills by taking on courses, workshops.
“In today’s celebration, I would like to thank our coaches who have been part of HDF since the start in Uganda and together formed the Hockey Dreams team Kampala. You have chosen to be part of the Hockey Dreams hub due to the mutual passion we have for sports and for hockey in particular,” Marlène said.
What HDF does
Hockey Dreams Foundation contributes to the development of children, especially in the African countries of Malawi, Uganda and Zambia throughout hockey sports. In these countries the Hockey Dreams Foundation trains children to become hockey coaches, so that they stay away ‘from the streets’ and get a chance on education and a job. These hockey coaches organize hockey trainings and hockey camps in these countries and also train new hockey coaches. The children who participate in the hockey trainings and camps come into contact with sports and get the opportunity to learn, play and create friendships.
