USSSA Capacity Building products Are Happy To Officiate Elite Games

By Aisha Nakato

The graduates of the USSSA capacity building training have been availed an opportunity to officiate at the Elite Games 2024 in Jinja SS and Jinja College.

The participants were selected by the FUFA instructors under whose guidance and mentorship they have been through the year.

This USSSA training was started with the sole objective of skilling teachers and students in refereeing, umpiring, and coaching in fields such as football, netball, athletics, volleyball, handball, basketball, and media.

Through the training, Namusoke Zainah a student at St. Joseph’ Kisubi studying automotive engineering in her second year has attained level II as a football referee.

Namusoke attended the level 1 football refereeing course in January 2023 at Kibuli SS and was taught by  FUFA Referee Instructors Harriet Nattabi, Faisal Nsubuga, and Sewaya Ismail Miti. She went on to attend level II in January 2024 at the same venue under the guidance of experienced FUFA referee Egesa Samuel.

Isabirye Ali, a student at Kyasanku Hill College in Mpigi has attended both Level I and II in Mbarara (Ntare School, January 2023) and Kibuli SS (January 2024) under the instruction of Egesa Samuel.

Mukama Delivered, a senior four student at Ntare School, Mbarara was among the first participants to undertake the training at his school in December 2022 and later level II in January 2024 at Kibuli SS both under the instructions of FUFA referee instructor Egesa Samuel.

The referees explain their experiences (The trio were on the touchline as Boni Consilli Girls’ SS played out to a goalless draw against Jinja SS)

Namusoke Zainah, a student at St.Joseph’s Vocational Kisubi.

“I chose refereeing because I love it. During these games, I have been a part of 8 games, one as a center referee, two as a fourth official, and five as a first assistant referee. The start was tough but as I went on I learned how to cope with not only the coaches but the fans as well. I promise to work even harder whenever I get the chance”

Isabirye Ali, a senior six student at Kyasanku Hill College, Mpigi.

“I have learned how to handle games because this has been very practical. Being a referee means you also behave professionally off the pitch. I am looking forward to Nationals and I hope to build a career in refereeing. Thanks to USSSA for training and also for making sure we get a chance to practice. I love what am doing”.

Mukama Delivered, a senior four student at Ntare School, Mbarara.

“I have gained more confidence because these are big people we are dealing with so I must make decisions very fast and accurately,” he said.

The management of USSSA is looking forward to using their own trained umpires and referees soon for all their competitions.

The training has had over 7000 participants trained from December 2022 to January 2024.