In a ceremony graced by top officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports, the National Council of Sports (NCS), and the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA), two national contingents were flagged off to represent the country on African and world stages this December.
The contingents are set to participate in the CAF Africa Schools Football Championship – CECAFA Qualifiers and the ISF U15 Volleyball World Championship.
Speaking at the event, USSSA President Justus Mugisha expressed confidence in the teams, stating, “This is the second consecutive year we are hosting the CECAFA qualifiers, and we are ready.
Our schools have performed exceptionally well, and we expect them to qualify for the main finals again.”
Kawempe Muslim Secondary School and St. Mary’s Kitende will lead Uganda’s charge in the boys’ and girls’ football categories, competing against 18 teams from across East Africa.
Meanwhile, International School of Uganda (ISU), ARCONS International School, and Mengo Senior School will represent Uganda in the ISF U15 Volleyball World Championship in Shangluo province in China.
Chief Guest Rev. Canon Dr. Duncans Mugumya reminded the young athletes of their responsibility to represent the country with pride.
“You are carrying the hopes of forty-five million Ugandans,” he said.
“Be patriotic. Represent your country with love.”
National Council of Sports’ Milton Chebet praised the progress in the sports sector, urging the teams to keep the momentum going.
“We have had a successful year as a country,” he said.
“Your task now is to keep that candle burning and lift the Ugandan flag even higher.”
The volleyball teams, expected to compete with confidence, are part of a 32-member delegation, including seven officials, led by Sammy Odong and Douglas Kabwegyere.
Grace Violah Kyolaba leads the football delegation.
