Lugogo, Kampala – The history of Ugandan football takes a bold step as the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) officially flagged off the country’s first-ever football delegation for the 2023 ISF World Schools’ Football Championship in Morocco. The momentous event took place at the Copper Chimney Restaurant in Lugogo, Kampala on Friday, July 21, 2023.
The team, consisting of three football school teams – St Noa Girls, Kibuli S.S, and Amus College – will proudly represent Uganda in the highly anticipated 2023 edition of the ISF football championship in Rabat City, Morocco.
The Chief Guest at the event, representing the State Minister of Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, delivered an inspiring message to the players, urging them to play with their hearts and represent their beloved country with passion. He said, “You are Uganda’s ambassadors. Go and fight to be world champions.”
USSSA officials, including the third vice president Godlive Apolot and President Emeritus Patrick Okanya, were present to show their support and commend the collective effort of the different schools, players, and coaches in assembling competitive teams. Apolot expressed his gratitude, stating, “I want to commend the different schools, their players, coaches, and everyone whose role cannot be overlooked for the effort to assemble competitive teams. I also thank the executive of USSSA for making this happen.”
The ceremony was graced by distinguished guests, including ASHUU president Brother Mugabo, National Council of Sports (NCS) Assistant General Secretary David Ssemakula Katende, and George Mutekanga, Assistant Commissioner of Private Schools and Institutions, along with representatives from various media houses.
The team was then officially handed the national flag, symbolizing the responsibility and honor of representing their nation on the international stage. With the flag in hand, the team departed for Entebbe International Airport, where they underwent immigration procedures before boarding their flight to Morocco.
The official draws for the tournament, held on June 1, 2023, placed Amus College in group A alongside France, Chile 2, and Nepal for the boy’s football category. Kibuli Secondary School, the reigning girls’ football champions in FEASSSA Games, found themselves in group E alongside Qatar, China 1, and Cote D’Ivoire.
In the girls’ football category, St Noa Girls Zzana was drawn in group D, competing against Morocco, Chile, and England.
USSSA President Justus Mugisha, who also serves as the head of FEASSSA and ISF Football Technical Committee president, is already in Morocco for official duties, while USSSA General Secretary Christopher Mugisha traveled ahead to ensure the delegation’s smooth reception.
The team’s journey to Morocco was made possible through the support of the Ministry of Education and Sports, various schools, players, coaches, and the USSSA executive.
The leader of Uganda’s delegation, Hon. Peter Ogwang, expressed his confidence in the team’s abilities and wished them success as they embark on this historic football journey.
The championship is set to run from July 22nd to July 31st in Rabat City, Morocco, with teams from around the world competing for the prestigious title. Team Uganda is determined to make their nation proud and leave their mark in football history.