Mbale, Bukedea come alive as FEASSA games kick off

Mbale and Bekedea districts in Eastern Uganda are a beehive of activity as the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) got underway on Sunday.

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni was the chief guest during the opening ceremony at Bukedea Comprehensive School.

Only Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda are participating in the event with Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the newest member, Somalia, giving the 21st edition of the games a wide berth.

The teams will battle it out in football, hockey, basketball (5x5 and 3x3), handball, athletics, rugby (15s and 7s), swimming, athletics (track, field, and cross country), racquet games and netball.

The games are hosted in more than 10 venues spread across the two districts. Bukedea Comprehensive School, the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies is 35 km from Mbale town.

They venues include Mbale Rugby Union (rugby 15s and 7s), Mbale School of Hygiene (hockey), Amus College (basketball), Bukedea Comprehensive School, Amus College and Mbale Stadium (football), Islamic University in Uganda (badminton) and Mbale Cricket Grounds (volleyball and netball).

Others are Bukedea Primary (handball), Mbale Sports Club (lawn tennis), Mbale Secondary (table tennis), Bukedea Comprehensive (swimming), and Amus College (athletics).

FEASSA secretary general David Ngugi said: “We had a technical meeting on Saturday and I want to assure you that all preparations are in place. We are looking forward to an action-packed 10-day event."

Speaking during the technical meeting, Ngugi warned against incidents of intimidating referees.

“The games should be learner-centred,” he said.

FEASSSA President Justus Mugisha said the 10-day event is not about sports only.

“Every student and coach will undergo a two-hour course on self guarding and certificates will be awarded,” he said.

Kenya will seek to defend the various titles they won in Huye, Rwanda, last year including volleyball (Namwela and Kwanthaze Girls), hockey (Nyamira Girls), tennis (boys' and girls') and athletics.