USSSA Ball Games II 2023 Culminates in Kabale with a Remarkable Display of Sportsmanship

By Joel Muyita

Kabale, July 17, 2023 – The picturesque town of Kabale played host to nine days of exhilarating sporting action during the 2023 USSSA Ball Games II. From the bustling corridors of St. Mary’s College Rushoroza, the host school, to the vibrant town center, Kabale witnessed an unprecedented influx of sports enthusiasts and participants, turning it into a hub of sportsmanship and camaraderie.

The eagerly awaited games, which commenced on July 9, came to a thrilling climax on Monday, July 17, with deserving winners across various disciplines recognized and awarded for their outstanding performances.

The closing ceremony, held at the Kabale Main Stadium, was graced by the esteemed presence of the State Minister for Sports in the Ministry of Education and Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang. Joining him were Commissioner for Physical Education in the Ministry of Education and Sports, Rev. Duncans Mugumya, USSSA President Justus Mugisha, USSSA President Emeritus Patrick Okanya, Headmaster of St. Mary’s College Rushoroza, Remigio Byamukama, and RDC Kabale Geoffrey Nyakahuma, among other distinguished guests.

During his address, Hon. Ogwang expressed heartfelt gratitude to Kabale district and the entire Kigezi region for being gracious hosts of the games:

“I bring greetings from the First Lady who is also the Minister of Education and Sports. We thank the people of Kabale and Kigezi region as a whole for being wonderful hosts. St. Mary’s College Rushoroza, the local authorities here have done a tremendous job in ensuring the games are played and completed without any major glitches.”

The Minister, however, sternly warned against the use of non-bona fide students and age cheating in school sports:

“I am here to warn schools that use non-students and those that practice age cheating. The new sports law which awaits ascent from H.E the President is tough on this. We shall arrest headteachers, games teachers, and ban schools and students who are found guilty.”

USSSA President Mugisha took the opportunity to commend the participating schools for their involvement in this year’s edition, noting a significant increase in the number of schools and students partaking in the games:

“On behalf of USSSA, we thank all the schools that have taken part in both Ball Games I and II. We thank our hosts St. Mary’s College Rushoroza who have done a great job. 2023 has been a successful year with a significant increase in the number of schools and students.”

Headmaster Monday Christopher of St. Mary’s College Rushoroza expressed his pride and joy in hosting a championship of such magnitude, reaffirming the school’s readiness to host the FEASSA Games should Uganda be granted the opportunity:

“I’m grateful that we have been able to host the whole of Uganda for this long and the Championship coming to an end without any negativities. I can confidently say that we are now able to host the FEASSA games, and if Uganda gets the chance to host, please always think about us as the first priority.”

The impact of the USSSA Ball Games II extended beyond the realm of sports. RDC Nyakahuma acknowledged the positive influence of the event on the local business community, which experienced a significant boost in economic activity during the tournament:

“We appreciate USSSA for bringing the games to Kabale, and the business community benefited immensely.”

The 2023 edition witnessed the introduction of new sports disciplines, such as Beach Soccer, DanceSport, and Lacrosse, enhancing the diversity and excitement of the games.

Awards Recap:
The closing ceremony witnessed the presentation of awards to the outstanding participants and teams across various sports disciplines:

LACROSSE

Girls

1. St. Mary’s High School Zirobwe – Bronze
2. Mariam High School – Silver
3. Nabisunsa Girls School – Gold

BEACH SOCCER

Girls

1. The Academy of St. Lawrence – Bronze
2. Mukono Kings High – Silver
3. Shammah High School – Gold

Boys

1. St. Mary’s College Rushoroza – Bronze
2. London College of St. Lawrence – Silver
3. Standard High School Zzana – Gold

WOODBALL

Girls

1. Mpoma School Mukono – Bronze
2. Luzira SS – Silver
3. Mityana SS – Gold

Boys

1. Our Lady of Africa – Bronze
2. Air Force SS – Silver
3. Luzira SS – Gold

DANCE SPORT

Girls

1. London College of St. Lawrence – Bronze
2. St. Andrew Kaggwa Gombe – Silver
3. St. Juliana High School Gayaza – Gold

Boys

1. Mbarara High School – Bronze
2. Crown City of St. Lawrence – Silver
3. St. Mark’s College Namagoma – Gold

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Girls

1. St. Charles Lwanga Kasasa – Bronze
2. Namugongo Vocational and Secondary School – Silver
3. Katikamu SDA – Gold

Boys

1. Namugongo Vocational and Secondary School – Bronze
2. Bukedea Comprehensive School – Silver
3. Standard High School Zzana – Gold

HANDBALL

Girls

1. Kibuli SS – Bronze
2. Gombe SS – Silver
3. Kawanda SS – Gold

Boys

1. Gombe SS – Bronze
2. Wampewo Ntake SS – Silver
3. Kakungulu Memorial School – Gold

BASKETBALL 3X3

Girls

1. Nabisunsa Girls School – Bronze
2. Ssaku SS – Silver
3. St. Mary’s SS Kitende – Gold

Boys

1. Buddo SS – Bronze
2. Hope SS Nakirebe – Silver
3. Bethel Covenant College – Gold

VOLLEYBALL

Girls

1. Seroma Christian High School – Bronze
2. Ngora High School – Silver
3. St. Elizabeth High School, Mbarara – Gold

Boys

1. Namugongo VOC and Secondary School – Bronze
2. Bukedea Comprehensive SS – Silver
3. Standard High School – Gold

NETBALL

1. Kawanda SS – Bronze
2. St. Noa Girls School Zzana – Silver
3. St. Mary’s Boarding SS Kitende – Gold

RUGBY 7s

Girls

1. St. Katherine SS, Lira – Bronze
2. Jinja SS – Silver
3. Nkoma SS – Gold

Boys

1. London College of St. Lawrence – Gold
2. Kiira College Butiiki – Silver
3. Jinja SS – Gold

FOOTBALL U14

Girls

1. Rines SS – Bronze
2. St. Noa Girls School – Silver
3. Kawempe Muslim – Gold

Boys

1. Royal Giant High School – Bronze
2. Amus College School – Silver
3. St. Mary’s Boarding SS Kitende – Gold

FOOTBALL U16

Girls

1. Amus College School – Bronze
2. Boni Consili – Silver
3. Kawempe Muslim SS – Gold

Boys

1. St. Juliana High School Gayaza – Bronze
2. Quality High School Buikwe – Silver
3. Buddo SS – Gold

ATHLETICS (SCHOOLS OVERALL)

1. Chemwanga High School – Bronze
2. Gombe SS – Silver
3. Standard High School Zzana – Gold

ATHLETICS (DISTRICTS)

1. Butambala District – Bronze
2. Tororo District – Silver
3. Wakiso District – Gold

ZONES

Boys

1. Busoga – Bronze
2. West Nile – Silver
3. Acholi – Gold

Girls

1. Teso – Bronze
2. West Nile – Silver
3. Acholi – Gold

OVERALL SCHOOLS

Girls

1. Gombe SS – Bronze
2. Millennium Unique College – Silver
3. Standard High School – Gold

Boys

1. Gombe SS – Bronze
2. Standard High School Zzana – Silver
3. St. Joseph’s College Layibi – Gold

CROSS COUNTRY

Girls

1. Kabale – Bronze
2. Kapchorwa – Silver
3. Kween – Gold

Boys

1. Kapchwora – Bronze
2. Bukwo – Silver
3. Kween – Gold

The USSSA Ball Games II 2023 has indeed left an indelible mark on Kabale and the entire Ugandan sports community. As the athletes return to their schools, they carry with them not only the memories of their victories but also the spirit of unity and sportsmanship that these games exemplify. Congratulations to all the participants, organizers, and supporters for making this year’s USSSA Ball Games a resounding success!