School whizzkid excels in sports

The idea that sports is a great way to facilitate academic achievement has been a subject of much literature and commentary but the empowerment function of sports in this area has superceded many arguments. While many parents in Uganda discourage their children from sports in fear of their children failing to perfom academically, a 12 year old boy at a Kampala Orphanage thinks otherwise.
Johnson Musinguzi's tale as a hopeless boy from an impoverished family whose only redeeming force was soccer is touching. Born in a family of five Johnson's siblings dropped out of school as their father could no longer afford to raise their school dues. Consequently he relocated the family to the village.
It was Johnson's extra-ordinary football talents that saved him from joining his siblings in the village, he was taken under the care of a football coach who persuaded his father not to relocate him to the village arguing that his talents would best be developed in the city center where resources were available and to this he has never regretted.

The little boys was later through acquaintances brought to the Kampala School of Excellence Children's Home where the offer of shelter and an education seemed a lifetime opportunity. Johnson's talents were soon identified and he was selected on the School's Junior soccer team. However one thing remained unclear to him, how would he manage both soccer and class. He found many of his colleagues not so much interested in making academics a priority, this he had realised when his academic progress dwindled drastically.

While he loved the sport and being part of a school group, Johnson appealed to his carers at Kampala School of Excellence Ministries Children's Home to relocate him to another school as to get more concetration in academics. The results were unbelievable, despite having to contend with the challenges of adapting to a new school environment, under a different set-up Johnson's progress report for the First term at the Crane Educational Center were motivation.
According to his class teacher, Johnson only needed a little supervision to make the best grades and soon he was at the top of his class. Johnson is in his final year in primary school and has topped his class twice. His teachers hold confidence in him and believe that he will score a first grade in the Prmary Leaving Exams due in November 2010. He is quick to adapt to new situations and is flexible with challenges.

Beside class Johnson has established himself as an outstanding football player, gifted with a swift left foot, he has scored a number of times for his school football team for which he is their captain. Johnson recently scored a Hatrick in the School's league for his school. He is also a first team player in the Kampala school of Excellence Juniors soccer team.

Besides football johnson participates in athletics and Volleyball. He represented his school in the National school athletics Championships at Kyambogo early this year and will be participating in the National Primary school's volleyball tourney soon.