Part of the delegation that represented Uganda at the 2024 ISF Football World Cup in Dalian city, China safely returned home on Tuesday, 28th May.
These comprised of students and officials from Amus College School, St Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK) and the the accompanying officials who included the state minister of sports Hon. Peter Ogwang as well as the USSSA CEO Christopher Mugisha Banage and the overall head of delegation Patrick Okanya.
“It has been an amazing journey for Uganda teams in China. The performances of our team was impressive as we managed to take silver and bronze for the boys. As a country, we shall continue to bench-mark from the hosts China as we eye an improvement in Uganda’s sports sub-sector” Hon. Ogwang told USSSA Media.
The Amus College School boys’ team captained by Bran Toto Majub scooped silver after falling to hosts China in the final, 5-3 in post match penalties following a 2-all draw in the final.
Majub cites crucial positives from the championship which had schools from the different parts of the world.
“We faced off teams from the different countries and we learnt a lot from them. One key element was how to be assertive and aggressive” Toto remarked.
The girls team (Amus College) which also had the tournament top scorer Edna Wandera finished eighth overall in the championship and looks forward towards better times ahead.
Nimrod Kintu, the school football team head coach (Boys) picks key learning points coming to the 2024 FEASSSA Games that will be hosted in Bukedea zone.
“The tournament in China put us in shape for the forthcoming FEASSSA Games in August 2024. The players look forward improved performances” Kintu remarked.
Team Uganda head of delegation Okanya lauded God for the journey mercies. Okanya continued to thank the Government, mother ministry – of education and sports, the schools for the collective team-work.
“China was good and has taught us very many good lessons. The Lord has been good for the safe journeys to and from. I continue to thank the Almighty Lord. I thank the Government, the ministry of Education and Sports, the schools, parents, players, coaches and other officials for the collective teamwork. We have also learnt a lot many good things from the China expedition going forward. Best of all, all the people who traveled are back to the country” Okanya revealed.
Veteran coach Frank Video Anyau, the girls’ team head coach is grateful to the different stakeholders including Government and ISF as well as the school management for facilitating the travel of the team.
“We traveled well to China and I would like to thank the players, coaches, Government, USSSA and the schools’ management committees for the successful trip. We also learnt a lot going forward” Anyau noted.
Amus and SMACK returned on Tuesday, Uganda’s other representative, Bukedea Comprehensive (who finished third to take the bronze medals) are expected back home on Wednesday.