Uganda to revive their pole vaulting

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/30/763437

You are to see more vaulting
Tuesday, 23rd August, 2011

By Norman Katende

THE national athletics federation is putting emphasis on accelerating the growth of pole vault as a major discipline in Uganda.

Pole vaulting which was ‘abandoned’ years ago is being looked at as a potential medal winner for Uganda in future international meets.

The pole vault campaign is spearheaded by a German jump expert Bochorst Tillman, who held a five-day basic coaching course in Gulu. The course ended Friday with the donation of all the jumping materials used in the training to Gulu, who have produced the most fielders.

According to Tillman, who is expected to return to Uganda next year to check on the progress of the students, the Olympic Solidarity coaching course was meant to give school games teachers the basics of handling both horizontal and vertical jumps athletes, and developing them to high levels of competitiveness.

“Your reaction has been great and what we want to see is for you to start producing new stars. We have good talent but they lack the basic training which we have equipped you with. You now have to go down and work,” said Tillman, who introduced to them ways of improvising equipment.

He showed them how to use bamboo for pole vaults and stuffing bags with grass or saw dust to work as mattresses for landing.