The 2023 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA)National boys’ football championship was officially opened at Nyakasura school playgrounds in Fort Portal, Kabarole on Wednesday, 10th May.
Hundreds of people braved the afternoon rains as the school students, officials and the general public converged at the Nyaksura school playground.
Hon. Peter Ogwang, the state minister for Education and Sports (Sports) was the chief guest during a ceremony also attended by the Commissioner of physical education and sports Rev. Canon Duncans Mugumya, USSSA officials led by president Justus Mugisha, students and other well-wishers.
A brass band led the procession of excited students before the official opening festivities took effect.
The guests were officially welcomed by the Nyakasura school community led by the head teacher, Rev Canon Balinda E. B Richardson.
“We warmly welcome you to Nyakasura school. This is a big honour to have the schools in Uganda hosted here for the national football championships. The preparations have moved on well and we remain on course to produce the best ever tournament” Rev. Canon Balinda revealed.
Hon. Ogwang lauded the ministry of education and sports, the host school (Nyakasura school), the different school management committees, officials, players for the collective work done.
The minister openly condemned the schools that use non-bonifide students in these games, a killer punch to the development of talents.
“We are openly against schools that use non-students in such games which denies the real students that would be taking part in such games. This is a practice that we are fighting openly and with the new upcoming law, there will be prosecution” he stated.
Mugisha, president of USSSA was full of praise for Nyakasura school for taking upon the onus to host the other schools in such a competition of over 60 schools.
“I am humbled for all the participating schools in this football competition. Let me take this opportunity to thank Nyakasura school, the local community in Kabarole and all agencies who have made this happen” Mugisha noted.
Nyakasura school won the official opening match, overcoming Sironko Progressive Academy 1-0 during a well contested duel played on a slippery surface after the afternoon rains.
Some of the group stage matches had been played in the morning before the official opening ceremony with many more coming up in the days ahead.
St Mary’s Boarding Secondary School – Kitende won the tournament in 2022, staged in West Nile, Arua city, hosted by Mvara Secondary School.
The top three 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.
Results:
Match day 1 results:
- St Mary’s Simbya 0-6 Kawempe Royal
- Jinja Progressive Academy 5-3 St Julian High School
- St Henry’s Kitovu 5-0 Bishop Comboni College
- West Ville High school 5-0 Dokolo SS
- St Mary’s Kitende 4-0 Tororo Town College
- Buddo Secondary School 4-0 Mbale Progressive S.S
- Tororo Progressive Academy 0-4 Royal Giant High School Mityana
- Kawempe Muslim SS 3-0 Nabumali SS
- St Denis Kijaguzzo 3-0 St Bernard School Manya
- Nyakasura School 1-3 London College Nansana
- Old Kampala Secondary School 3-1 Bukedea Secondary School
- Kigumba Royal College 3-1 St Jude Secondary School
- St Kaggwa High School 1-2 St Joseph’s College Layibi
- Africa With Love High School 2-1 Wisdom High School
- Ryakasinga Che 1-2 Bishop Angelo Negri College
- Jinja Secondary School 2-0 Nakwasi Seed Secondary School
- Latifah Mixed Ss 2-0 Nakaseke School
- Kibuli Secondary School 1-0 Kihanga Secondary School
- Sironko Progressive SS 1-0 Mengo SS
- Standard High School Zana 1-0 St Mathias Kalemba SS
- Dynamic SS 1-0 Victoria High School
- Lotukei Seed Secondary School 0-1 Nganwa High School
- Fortportal SS 1-0 Amus College
- Mukono Kings High school 0-1 Patongo Seed School
- Mityana Secondary School 0-1 Blessed Sacrament Kimanya
- St Gerald’s Secondary School 0-1 Lakeside Secondary School
- Nkoma SS 1-0 Andy Mwesigwa SS
- Arua S.S 1-0 Panyadoli S.S
- Alwa S.S 1-1 Akibua S.S
- Mpigi Mixed SS 0-1 Welden School
- Jinja Comprehensive School 2-2 Teso Progressive College
- Sironko Progressive SS 1-0 Mengo SS
Match Day 2:
- Nyakasura School 1-0 Sironko Progressive Academy
- St Henry’s College Kitovu 3-0 Jinja Comprehensive Secondary School
- Teso Progressive Academy 0-3 Latifa Mixed Secondary School
- Bishop Comboni College Kambuga 0-3 St Mary’s Boarding S.S Kitende
- Nakaseke International School 1-2 Tororo Town College
- Aki Bua Secondary School 0-2 London College Nansana
- Bishop Angello Negri College Gulu 0-0 Alwa Secondary School