The President of the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Associations (FEASSA), Justus Mugisha, has officially declared the 2026 FEASSA Games open during a meeting with Team Managers, Technical Commissars, Coaches, and officials in Morogoro, Tanzania.
Addressing the gathering ahead of the kickoff on Friday, 14th August 2026, Mugisha welcomed delegates from across East Africa and thanked the Government and people of Tanzania, together with the Local Organising Committee, for hosting the region’s premier school sports championship.
“This edition of the FEASSA Games is historic,” Mugisha said. “For the first time, we have recorded the highest number of participants ever in all categories of the Games, a clear indication of the growth and popularity of school sports across East Africa.”
Record Participation for Morogoro 2026
The 2026 FEASSA Games have attracted unprecedented participation across all three competition categories:
Secondary School Games (U19)
Primary School Games (U15)
Special Needs Education (SNE) Games
The championships will feature both boys and girls competing in a wide range of disciplines, reflecting FEASSA’s continued commitment to inclusivity and athlete development.
President Mugisha noted that FEASSA’s growth and credibility continue to earn international recognition, citing the recent election of both himself and FEASSA Secretary General David Ngugi to the Executive Committee of the International School Sport Federation (ISF).
“This recognition belongs to FEASSA and the entire East African school sports community. It challenges us to continue raising standards in the organization and delivery of school sport,” he said.
New Sports Added to the FEASSA Programme
The Morogoro 2026 Games will also mark the introduction of several new sports aimed at expanding participation opportunities for learners across the region.
Secondary School Games (U19)
Baseball (Boys)
Softball (Girls)
Lacrosse
Cricket
Cross Country
Beach Volleyball
Beach Soccer
Primary School Games (U15)
Basketball
Handball
Cross Country
Special Needs Education (SNE) Games
Showdown
Sitting Volleyball
Hi-Soccer
Mugisha called upon technical officials and coaches to ensure proper adherence to competition rules and to support the successful integration of the new disciplines into the FEASSA programme.
Emphasis on Excellence, Discipline and Welfare
The FEASSA President challenged Team Managers, Coaches, and Technical Commissars to prioritize athlete welfare, discipline, and fair play throughout the championship.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards in competition management, accurate results reporting, and strict adherence to schedules to ensure a successful championship experience for all participants.
“Our athletes have trained hard and competed at the highest levels to reach this stage. They deserve competitions that are well organized, safe, fair, and conducted with integrity,” he said.
A Celebration of East African Unity
Beyond competition, Mugisha described the FEASSA Games as a platform for friendship, cultural exchange, and regional integration among young people from East Africa.
He urged all participating countries to embrace the spirit of unity, sportsmanship, and mutual respect that has defined FEASSA for decades.
As thousands of athletes, coaches, and officials gather in Morogoro, the 2026 FEASSA Games promise to be the largest and most diverse edition in the federation’s history, featuring record participation, expanded competition categories, and new sporting disciplines.
With his address concluded, President Justus Mugisha officially declared the 2026 FEASSA Games open, ushering in nine days of competition that will run from 14th to 22nd August 2026 across various venues in Morogoro, Tanzania.
