The Embassy has donated 20 sports bags, tracksuits, pairs of trainers, T-shirts and pairs of shorts to the Ugandan team as they look ahead to the Youth Olympic Games, set to run from August 16 to 28.

The Games is an international multi-sport event organised by the International Olympic Committee for athletes aged between 14 and 18.

They are held every four years, with the first held in Singapore in August 2010.

The handover ceremony was attended by Chinese ambassador for Uganda, Zhao Yali, who hailed sporting tradition and promised to help support more teams in the future.

"When I see Ugandans winning medals on the international stage despite the lack of facilities, it pushes me and my Government to give a helping hand," he said.

"I am willing to offer more help when the need arises."

Ugandan Sports Minister Jessica Alupo praised the donations, before urging the Uganda team to pay back the gift by bringing home medals from the Games.

"Go and us make us proud in China and when you win gold, the President and I will be waiting to reward you just like we did to [10,000 metres runner Joshua] Cheptegei," she said.

The Uganadan team are set to leave for Nanjing on August 11 in preparation for the Opening Ceremony on August 16.

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