Sport has educated Adeke

By Walter Washika, :: 11-04-2011

“Talent has moved me from grass to grace”. These were the authentic words from Irene Adeke as she adjusted her chair into position.
Adeke is endowed with the dexterity to juggle netball and volleyball besides being quite apt in academics. The multi-talented lady has proficiently balanced the numerous responsibilities but says it entails extreme sacrifice of time and leisure.
Born in a family of eleven with three boys, Adeke is the last born of Mr. Martin Malinga and Mrs. Verida Adeke of Kachede  village in Bukedea. She never enjoyed the bliss of both parents as her father passed on in 1992 when she was only four.  However, this was not a dead end to her future; for light showed up at the end of the tunnel. “My mom being a housewife, found it so hard to multi-task and take care of all of us. My elder sister therefore raised me,” she explained.
A well of talent that Adeke exhibits has paved way for her in academics through scholarships. According to her she has never paid a penny to meet her fees. The tall, ebony skinned, comely Adeke started playing netball at an early age -- in her P7 --  while at Kakira Primary School. She recalls vividly taking part in  the Kakira Netball League during which her next sponsor was attracted on board, to enable her study at St. Elizabeth Kideto in Soroti.
Her O-Level pursuit  was interrupted by the civil war; this prompted her to migrate to Iganga at King of Kings Secondary School where she sat her O-Level and on full sponsorship.  Later, all roads led to Kakungulu High for her A- Level. “In 2002, Kony rebels launched attacks on secondary schools killing and raping the girls. The vicious crime hauled itself sinto our neighbouring schools   this occasioned me to relocate,” she narrated.
Netball paved the way for her at UCU through coach Nelson Bogere who trained her at A-level. But when she joined UCU, she won a full scholarship in the second semester of 2008 when she started playing volleyball.
“I have never missed a class. Neither have I failed handing in my coursework in time. Sometimes I train from 5pm to 7 on the netball court and immediately connect for volleyball for another two hours. I therefore sleep early and wake up at 3am to do my reading,” she said.
Of the two games, Adeke prefers volleyball. “I enjoy volleyball because I see it taking me somewhere,” she said.
 According to her volleyball coach Tom Amou, Adeke is a disciplined, responsible and committed player both in training and during games.  “She is easily approachable and reliable. She is one of the pillars on the team because of her excellent blocking and front court play.
Outside the court, Adeke does not change her personality she still is that patient and God- fearing person,” beamed Amou.
Last season during the league, she was nominated MVP but lost to Julia Sakaya by a point. Nevertheless, she was voted best blocker of the season. She has also amassed awards from all open and invitational tournaments. As we write now she is a rookie in the volleyball arena.
Her team-mates however say that she is admirable and down-to-earth she is cool headed which makes her unique and admirable.  “She is someone everyone would like to associate with for her wise counsel and the rich vine of humility.
The only problem with her is that she is a pensive person,” said Peace Proscovia goal attacker and goal shooter on the netball team.
Adeke spoke about her spiritual life. She has seen God raise her from one ladder to the next.  She attests to His faithfulness and advises: 
“Utilise your talent and put God first in whatever you do. Remember the golden rule: do to others what you expect them to do to you, and do not do to others what you don’t expect them to do to you.
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