Minister of State for Sports and Chairman Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Hon. Peter Ogwang made a pre – inspection of Bukedea Comprehensive School and Amus College School ahead of the FEASSA delegation’s arrival to inspect the preparedness of the two schools. The delegation will assess the available accommodation and games facilities to host this year’s games, inspection will commence on Monday 17th to Thursday 20th June 2024
The Minister who was accompanied by officials led by the USSSA President Justus Mugisha, Hajji Twahil Kiteezaala, Commissioner Physical Education Rev. Dr. Ducans Mugumya, host headteachers (Opio Richard of Amus and Jona Gumisiriza of Bukedea Comprehensive School) and President emeritus Partrick Okanya.
The Minister kicked off the pre-inspection tour at Amus College School Eastern Uganda where they visited five playgrounds, three basketball courts and accommodation facilities. Ogwang also proceeded to inspect Bukedea Comprehensive School.
While there, the minister expressed disappointment with how work is slowly going on most especially on the side of playing facilities.
“With only 40 days left, we cannot be in this state of progress. We have to double our efforts because this benefits Uganda as a country but nevertheless the hope is still high that we shall host these games come August.
Our work as government is to see that these games are hosted in Eastern Uganda holistically” Ogwang said.
The minister observed that in the two host schools work is going on but at a slow pace and this may affect the country’s hope of hosting these games in the region but ruded the efforts of the two host schools as he promised continuous supervision both from him and the Local Organizing Committee.
In his address, the minister delivered the good news of the head of state officiating the games.
“This hosting is historical that the head of state the President H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the first lady who is also the minister of Education and Sports Mama Janet Kataha Museveni will be guests to this event.” Ogwang noted.
The FEASSA inspection delegation will be in the country from Monday 17th to Thursday 21st July to check on the preparedness as far as hosting is concerned.
USSSA President who also doubles as the FEASSA President Justus Mugisha expressed his gratitude to the minister for accepting to be the Chairperson National Organising committee and noted that as a country there is trust in the minister.
“We thank you for accepting to be the chairman NOC, we know that you have never failed. What we thought couldn’t be possible is going to be possible because you accepted.”
He also noted that he had a lot of trust in the people behind the schools that are to host the games however, added that there is another option in case the two schools fail.
“The reputation of the people behind the schools gives us confidence and we are so hopeful that whatever isn’t done yet will be done. Even when we were picking the host, we had plan B in Namilyango College as communicated during the bidding process. We have notified them and are also ready in case the worst comes to worst.” Justus said.
“Uganda is hosting for the 6th time and there is no time we have been as organized as this time. In the 21 editions, no head of state has ever graced the event, this goes into history as the first of its kind so lets support the two schools.”
He also assured the minister of the readiness of the teams to represent Uganda.
“The teams going to feature don’t only have national exposure, they have gone to the international stage, represented ably which makes us believe that we have very good teams and we are going to make sure over-aged players don’t feature in these games.” Mugisha added.
Having looked at all factors, we believe Uganda will host, hosting FEASSA gives us even more ground ahead of hosting the AFCON and other Continental events.
Checklist will have accommodation facilities, Playing facilities, Medical ,transport accessibility, utilities and others.
Uganda last hosted these games in Gulu, Northern Uganda