In a bid to ensure tranquil organization of the national finals for the 2023 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association football championships, a team of USSSA leaders embarked on the last inspection of facilities in the host city of Fort Portal, Kabarole.
The teams traveled to Fort Portal, Kabarole to ascertain the readiness of Nyakusura school in regards to the facilities for accommodation, playing fields and others.
The inspections commenced on Friday evening through to Saturday.
Being the rainy season in Fort Portal and the surrounding areas, the visit was important to see the grounds to access how much damage, or if they the grounds can still be playable even in the rainy seasons.
During the visits, over 10 grounds were visited to include Buhinga, Bukwali, St Leo’s Kyegobe, St Paul’s Major Seminary, St Mary’s Minor Seminary, St Peter & Paul Primary School field, Kitarasa playground, UTC Kichwamba 2 ground and the PTC Canon Apollo ground.
The recommended ones were Kichwamba A & B, Kitarasa, Nyakasura A &B, Canon Apollo, St Mary’s Minor Seminary and Bukwali.
The ones on standby are; St Leo’s A, St Peter & Paul Primary School, Major Seminary and Buhinga, if need be.
According to the USSSA Second Vice president and chairperson of the organizing committee, Okot P’Bitek, the inspection was a complete success.
Representing the president Justus Mugisha, the second vice president confirmed that Nyakasura is ready to host the different schools.
“We came to Nyakasura for the final inspection of facilities for a follow-up from the earlier visits. Our findings is that the school is ready to host the games almost 90 percent. We visited the play-grounds. We have over 10 playgrounds which are ready. We also checked on the accommodation facilities which are ready and I must say, we are set to receiving schools on the 7th May 2023. The remaining 10 percent is the work that the head teacher is doing on the ground within the remaining one week. I want to inform all Ugandans that we are ready to have the tournament and receive all the teams.
After the inspection process, there was a successful meeting held to brainstorm upon the findings and make key recommendations.
Rev Canon Balinda E. B Richardson, the head teacher Nyakasura School confirmed their readiness to host the championship given the full support of the school management, local community, local leaders and the broader Rwenzori region.
“I want to thank the Ministry of Education and Sports exceedingly for giving us the chance to host the school’s football championship. We are humbled that we have been able to receive a team from USSSA as they conducted the final inspection of facilities (playing venues, secretariat and accommodation, among others). We are ready to host the schools, thanks to the overwhelming support from the school management. We also have the support of the community, local leaders and the broader Rwenzori region. The remaining few areas that need urgent attention will be addressed in the remaining few days.” Rev. Canon Balinda stated.
Rev. Canon Balinda informed that the physical and human infrastructure is all well in place.
The tournament will start on the 7th to 20th May 2023.
A total of 64 schools have been confirmed to take part in this prestigious tournament whose defending champion is St Mary’s Kitende.
The top four schools will earn tickets to the FEASSSA Games that are due in Rwanda later this year where Uganda (Kibuli S.S) is the defending champion.