USSSA National Ball Games II opening ceremony gathers thousands

The 2025 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) National Ball Games II has officially commenced, marked by a vibrant opening ceremony that featured three exciting sporting activities: athletics, netball, and football.

The ceremony set the tone for what promises to be an exhilarating championship, with a record 18 disciplines on the docket, including the new addition of futsal, and exhibitions of softball, baseball, and gymnastics.

U16 Boys Football Match

In the U16 boys’ football match, hosts St. Peter’s College Tororo suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to St. Mary’s Mbale.

The decisive goal was scored by Pius Odoi in the second half, showcasing his skill and determination on the field.

Netball Thriller

In the netball category, Ngando SS secured a thrilling 25-20 win over Dynamic SS, demonstrating their prowess and strategy on the court.

Record-Breaking Participation

This year’s championship boasts an impressive participation of 8,380 athletes, comprising 4,873 girls and 3,507 boys.

The games are being hosted at St. Peter’s College and Tororo Girls School in Eastern Uganda, providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and compete at a national level.

FEASSA Qualifiers

The championship also serves as a qualifier for the Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games, scheduled to take place from August 12th to 23rd in Kakamega, Kenya.

The top performers in each discipline will earn the opportunity to represent Uganda and compete against their peers from across East Africa.

Official Opening

The opening ceremony was graced by Hajji Bateman Sadiq, the guest of honor, who represented the State Minister for Sports.

The USSSA executive, led by President Justus Mugisha, the two co-host schools’ headteachers, and local leaders were also in attendance, underscoring the significance of this event in promoting sports development in Uganda.

The 2025 USSSA National Ball Games II will run until July 19th, 2025, at the two co-host schools, Tororo Girls and St. Peter’s College, promising an exciting celebration of sportsmanship, talent, and camaraderie among Uganda’s secondary school athletes.