The palpable anticipation surrounding the 20th edition of the Federation of East Africa Secondary School Association (FEASSSA) Games, scheduled to unfold in Huye, Rwanda from August 17th to 27th, 2023, reached its climax as the highly anticipated draws were meticulously conducted on August 12, 2023, in Uganda.
Marked by their transparent and impartial nature, the draws allocated participating schools from Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya into distinct pools. Chaired by Patrick Okanya, the draw ceremony left no room for doubt that the specific matchups emerging from these draws will be definitively confirmed in the imminent days.
The upcoming FEASSSA Games promise an eclectic mix of disciplines, designed to foster a competitive spirit among athletes. These encompass Basketball in both 5×5 and 3×3 formats, Netball, Handball, Hockey, Soccer, Volleyball, and Rugby in both 7’s and 15’s variations. Additionally, Racket games like Tennis and Badminton, Table Tennis, as well as Swimming and Athletics, are poised to command the attention of participants and spectators alike.
George Omondi, Assistant General Secretary of FEASSSA, voiced his unshakable faith in the fairness of the draws, asserting,
“The draws were conducted with utmost transparency and integrity. We hold sanguine expectations for the well-prepared teams representing their nations. As they set out on their journey to Huye, Rwanda, a technical meeting on August 18, 2023, will precede the grand inauguration on August 19, 2023. Rwanda’s unequivocal readiness to host the games is palpable, as attested by our prior inspection. The extraordinary strides made by Huye city since our last visit in 2018 are truly commendable.”
Chris Mugisha, CEO of the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA), reassured that the Ugandan delegation, led by Hon. Peter Ogwang, the State Minister of Sports, stands primed for the event. Mugisha accentuated the considerable support extended by the government and participating schools, underscoring their unwavering commitment to the games.
Aaron Rurangirwa, Vice President of the Rwanda Schools’ Sports Federation, confirmed the nation’s readiness as the host. He expounded on the meticulous preparations in place, encompassing border clearances, facilities, and accommodations. Rurangirwa also highlighted the enthusiastic fervor of Rwanda’s teams, determined to flaunt their skills and uphold the honor of their country.
“Today’s draws were carefully orchestrated, taking several factors into account,” said Patrick Okanya, the Chairman of the draws. “First and foremost, we aimed to ensure that the participating students could indulge in the joy of the game by maximizing their opportunities to play. Equally significant was our commitment to fostering transparency in these draws. Another pivotal consideration was the separation of teams hailing from the same country, a measure aimed at preventing the irony of competing against your own team both at home and away.
Given these imperatives, we confronted a scenario where a discipline boasted an impressive 11 teams. Our response was to organize these teams into two distinct groups, a practical solution. Regrettably, a few countries were unable to partake, narrowing the competition down to Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Our division into pools, A and B, took into account the teams ranked 7 and below. Thus, a round-robin format was implemented, culminating in a direct round-robin conclusion, foreclosing the necessity for a final match beyond this stage,” he explained.
As the curtain falls on the successful completion of the FEASSSA Games 2023 draws, the participating schools and athletes eagerly await the forthcoming showcase of their athletic prowess. Anchored by the values of fairness and unity, the event stands tall as a poignant testament to the enduring spirit of East African sportsmanship.
The draws resulted in intriguing matchups across various sports:
In Boys’ Basketball (5×5), teams like Uganda 3 (Mbogo Mixed), Uganda 2 (Elite High School, Entebbe), Rwanda 2 (LDK Kigali), Kenya 1, and Tanzania 1 (Juhudi S.S) were pooled in Group A. Group B featured teams like Tanzania 2 (Roleto S.S), Rwanda 1 (Ste Bernadette), Kenya 3, Kenya 2, and Uganda 1 (Buddo S.S).
In Girls’ Basketball, Group A saw the participation of Uganda 2 (St Noa Girls S.S), Uganda 3 (Nabisunsa Girls S.S), Tanzania 1 (Rafiki Foundation Secondary), Rwanda 1 (Ste. Bernadette S.S), and Kenya 2. Group B consisted of Kenya 1, Rwanda 2 (GS Marie Reine), Uganda 1 (St Mary’s Kitende), Tanzania 2 (Orkeeswa Secondary School), and Kenya 3.
In Boys’ Basketball 3X3, teams like Kenya 1, Kenya 2, Uganda 1 (Hope Secondary School, Nakirebe), Kenya 3, Uganda 2 (Buddo Secondary School), Uganda 3 (Seroma Christian High School), and Rwanda 1 (ITS Gasabo) were set to compete.
In Girls’ Basketball 3X3, Uganda 2 (Ssaku Secondary School), Kenya 3, Uganda 3 (Nabisunsa Girls), Uganda 1 (St Mary’s Kitende), Kenya 1, and Rwanda 1 (Ecole St Bernadatte), Kenya 2 formed the roster of competitors.
In Boys’ Hockey, Group A featured teams like Uganda 1 (Kakungulu Memorial School), Kenya 3, Kenya 2, Tanzania 1, Rwanda 2, and Kenya 3. Group B comprised of Uganda 3 (St Mary’s College, Kisubi), Uganda 2 (Ntare School), Rwanda 1, Kenya 4, and Kenya 1.
In Girls’ Hockey, participants in Group A included Uganda 3 (Mt St Mary’s Namagunga), Uganda 1 (Kakungulu Memorial School), Uganda 2 (Bweyrayangi Girls), Kenya 3, Kenya 2, and Kenya 1. Group B was comprised of Uganda 3 (Gayaza High School), Kenya 1 (St Joseph’s Kitale), Rwanda 1 (Kiziguro S.S), Kenya 3, and St Joseph’s Miranga.
In Girls’ Volleyball, Group A featured Rwanda 2 (IPSC Kigali), Uganda 2 (Ngora High School), Tanzania 1 (Nasuli S.S), Kenya 4, and Kenya 1. Group B included Kenya 2, Uganda 1 (St Elizabeth Girls), Rwanda 1 (GS St Aloys), Uganda 3 (Seroma Christian High School), and Kenya 3.
In Boys’ Volleyball, Group A consisted of Uganda 1 (Standard High School Zzana), Kenya 2, Tanzania 1 (Kaliua S.S), Rwanda 2 (PSVF Huye), and Kenya 3. Group B saw the participation of Uganda 3 (Namugongo Vocational), Uganda 2 (Bukedea Comprehensive School), Rwanda 1 (GS St Joseph Muhanga), Kenya 4, and Kenya 1.
In Boys’ Handball, Group A included Uganda 3 (Bombo Army), Tanzania 1 (Kirombero S.S), Kenya 2 (Mboomi), Rwanda 1 (Adegi Gatsibo), and Uganda 2 (Wampewo Ntake S.S). Group B saw the participation of Uganda 1 (Kakungulu Memorial Secondary School), Kenya 1 (Hospital Hill S.S), Rwanda 2 (ES Kigoma), and Kenya 3.
In Girls’ Handball, Group A comprised Uganda 1 (Kawanda S.S), Uganda 3 (Kibuli S.S), Kenya 2 (Moi Girls Amusinga), Tanzania 1, and Rwanda 2 (ISF Nyamasheke). Group B included Kenya 1 (St Joseph’s Kitale), Rwanda 1 (Kiziguro S.S), Kenya 3 (St Joseph’s Miranga), and Uganda 2 (Gombe S.S).
In Boys’ Hockey, Group A consisted of Uganda 1 (Kakungulu Memorial), Kenya 3 (Mangu High), Kenya 2 (St Anthony Kitale), and Uganda 4 (Mbarara High). Group B comprised of Tanzania 1, Uganda 2, and Uganda 3.
In Girls’ Hockey, Namagungu, Kakungulu, Bwerangu, St Joseph’s Kitaeeleo, Tigoy, Nyamira, and Gayaza High formed the participants in a round-robin format.
In Boys’ Rugby 7’s, participating teams included Jinja S.S (Uganda), Kiira College Butiki (Uganda), London College of St Lawrence, and Makerere College School.
In Boys’ Rugby 15’s, Uganda 3 (St Mary’s College Kisubi), Uganda 2 (Kings College Buddo), Uganda 1 (Namilyango College), Kenya 1 (Butula Boys), Kenya 2 (All Saints), and Kenya 3 (St Anthony Kitale) were set to compete.
In Netball, Group A consisted of Kenya 3, Kenya 1, Tanzania 1 (Lutozo), Uganda 2 (St Noa Girls School Zzana), and Uganda 3 (Kawanda S.S). Group B featured Kenya 2, Uganda 1 (St Mary’s Boarding SS, Kitende), Tanzania 2 (Mkolani S.S), Uganda 4 (Buddo S.S), and Rwanda 1 (GS Gahini Kayonza).
In Girls’ Soccer, Group A participants included Kenya 3, Kenya 1, Rwanda 1 (GS Gatiso), Uganda 3 (Kawempe Muslim S.S), Tanzania 2 (Ziba S.S), and Uganda 2 (St Noa Girls School, Zzana). Group B comprised of Tanzania 1 (Fountain Gate S.S), Uganda 4 (Sacred Heart S.S – Gulu), Uganda 1 (Amus College School), Rwanda 2, and Kenya 2.
In Boys’ Soccer, Group A featured Kenya 1, Tanzania 1 (Kalangalala S.S), Uganda 3 (Amus College School), Kenya 3, Rwanda 2 (CGFK Kicukiro), and Uganda 2 (St Henry’s College Kitovu). Group B included Kenya 2, Uganda 1 (St Mary’s Kitende), Uganda 4 (Kibuli Secondary School), Tanzania 2 (Kiwira Coal Mine S.S), and Rwanda 1 (Ecose Musambira).
As the curtain falls on the successful completion of the FEASSSA Games 2023 draws, the participating schools and athletes eagerly await the forthcoming showcase of their athletic prowess. Anchored by the values of fairness and unity, the event stands tall as a poignant testament to the enduring spirit of East African sportsmanship.
