By Pauline Akello
Lacrosse has a beautiful history dubbed, ‘The Medicine Game’. It originated from America and they believe the game was given to them by God.
Patrick Oriana picked interest in this sport in 2011, while at Makerere University Business School (MUBS). This is the same year it was introduced in Uganda.
He has played for Oneonta, an inaugural club in the Uganda Lacrosse League, MUBS and Netanya which is part of the Israel Premier Lacrosse League.
Coaching experience
In regard to his Lacrosse journey, Oriana was greatly impacted after a knee injury in 2017.
“It was one of the toughest things I have been through. It was at a time I needed to get better and in shape for the sport. I learnt that sometimes the injury is not as painful as the feeling of not being able to do the things you love to do,” Oriana says.
From this incident, he redirected his priorities which momentously shaped his role and path as a coach.
“I had always thought about why I encountered the game later in my life,” Oriana says. “And I think I got the answer from the injury. It was so that I could teach others the game. The injury seemed to make things clearer.”
He politely explains that since he had had prior experience in coaching (Rugby), he found it easy to muster and train lacrosse players.
In his experience as a coach, people get better at the game as long as they are intentional about it.
His trials
Since sports is competitive, Oriana has earnt that competition gives things a distinct perspective.
It may come with pressure to achieve their ambitions as a team, but he is grateful to nurture great human beings by having a personal-centered approach.
He says: “Indeed, the pressure can be insane and the toughest thing about coaching for me right now is being able to make an impact on the player on and off the field, through building deep meaningful relationships that would go on long after we have moved on with our lives.”
Although there may be low appreciation of non-mainstream sports in Uganda, he believes it is changing.
He emphasises that sports can be a gainful career if more people welcomed it with a positive perspective.
Achievements
He represented Uganda at the Federation of International Lacrosse world Championship 2014 in USA and 2018 in Israel.
“It was a splendid highlight for me and I do not take for granted wearing our national colours, which I wore with great pride,” Oriana says.
He has also met remarkable people through Lacrosse who have contributed to his journey of self-discovery.
He hopes that Ugandan athletes make it to College Lacrosse and go pro. He also hopes more people get involved in sports generally.
He says: “It would be amazing to see more parents come to games to watch their children play and compete. It brings joy to the athletes.”
Currently, he is on a mission to lead coaches and athletes into a growing personal relationship with Christ. He would love to be remembered as someone who positively impacted others.
Michael Bahiizi of Fellowship of Christian Athletes Lacrose Uganda says Oriana has impacted his life since they met at MUBS in 2012.
He says: “ I have known Patrick for over nine years and he is an example of what it means to be a leader with a Christ-like character.
He is humble, God feaaring and is a person of integrity.” He proudly adds that he is blessed to be doing sports with him.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Subscribe to our website and be the first to receive great Christian news, health information, pastoral guidance, environment, farming and many others. Also, Like and follow us on Facebook at Good News UG.
