Taban is a South Sudanese refugee living in Uganda. As a coach and community leader, he provides opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and develop important life skills despite challenging circumstances. Through the Young Coach Education, he gained valuable knowledge that he now wants to share with other coaches, parents, and community members.
My name is Taban, but in my community everyone calls me Sakho. I come from South Sudan and arrived in Uganda as a refugee in 2016 after the war forced me to leave my home. Growing up was not easy. I was raised by my mother and my three brothers, as I never knew my father. When the conflict escalated, we had to flee, and I was separated from my mother, who remains in South Sudan to this day. Today, I am married and have a child of my own. I feel responsible not only for my family but also for many children in my community.
Sport has always been an important part of my life. Football was my favourite activity as a child, and I continued playing for school and local clubs as I grew older. After arriving in Uganda, I realised that our community team lacked leadership, so I decided to stop playing and become a coach. While coaching older age groups, I noticed that younger children were often left out. Together with other community members, I started organising activities for children at the community centre. What began with only a few children has grown to around 20–30 children who join us every Saturday. Alongside football, we also offer activities such as reading, singing and numeracy exercises.
Being a coach is very important to me because I want to help children develop their talents and grow up healthy. Many children in our community face challenges. Some arrive hungry and lack the energy to participate, while we also struggle with limited equipment and resources. Another challenge is that some parents do not yet understand the value of sports and community activities for children’s development. Despite these difficulties, we continue to create opportunities for children to learn and have fun.
The Young Coach Education taught me many valuable lessons. One of the most important was the importance of involving the whole community. I realised that parents and community leaders should be included in our work so they can better understand the benefits our centre provides for children. Another important lesson was understanding the different football skills. Previously, I thought passing and shooting was the same thing. Through the training, I learned that each skill requires different techniques and teaching methods. This knowledge will help me provide better learning experiences for the children in my community.
Football is much more than a game. It creates a safe space where children can learn, build confidence, and develop important life skills. When I return home, I want to share everything I have learnt with other coaches, parents, and community leaders. By working together, I believe we can reach even more children and create a positive impact in our surroundings.
