Staff of the Senate have been encouraged to take up sporting activities as a way of staying physically fit and boosting productivity at work.

Speaking on Friday during the official launch of the Senate Staff Sports Day at Ulinzi Sports Complex, Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Jeremiah Nyegenye, CBS urged staff to adopt and apply the values of sport in their daily duties to enhance performance.

“Sports has so many benefits. Sports is good for mental health, physical health, it generally keeps away some illness,” advised Mr. Nyegenye.

He further noted, “Sports also brings recognition to participants and in addition, virtues displayed during sporting activities are very vital at the workplace, virtues of teamwork, resilience, discipline, winning, losing and accepting defeat and striving to improve.”

Mr. Nyegenye also commended the Senate Wellness Committee for its exemplary organisation of this year’s event encouraging them to aim even higher in the future.

The opening ceremony was graced by celebrated guests, Ms Mercy Moim, OGW, a renowned volleyball player and Mr. Ezekiel Kemboi, OGW, a legendary athletics champion.

In her remarks, Ms Moim urged staff to embrace sports stressing that it provides an effective outlet for managing challenges such as workplace stress. She further called on them to carry the spirit of sporting activities into their professional lives for better outcomes.

Her sentiments were echoed by Mr. Kemboi who encouraged staff to prioritise their health by participating in sports and regular exercise.

The annual Senate Staff Sports Day brings together staff from across the institution, who are divided into three teams, White, Gold and Blue. Participants compete in various disciplines including football, badminton, athletics, tug of war, netball, table tennis, darts, chess, volleyball, scrabble, pool and basketball with winners awarded trophies.