Ugandan teams have so far dominated the Netball category of the ongoing Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Associations (FEASSA) Games.
The country is the defending champion in the category, having won the competition at last year’s Games in Huya, Rwanda, courtesy of St. Mary’s Kitende.
This year, Uganda is being represented by four teams; including defending champions Kitende, St. Noa Girls’ School, Kawanda SS, and Buddo SS. All these teams reached the semi-finals of last year’s FEASSA Games.
Uganda has a storied history in the netball category at the Games, having won all the previous 20 editions since its inception in 2002, and it looks like the country will do the same this year.
On Matchday 1 of Netball on Monday, Uganda’s teams made a bold statement, each securing impressive victories.
Buddo SS edged Oyugi Ogango Girls from Kenya with a score of 43-39, while Kawanda SS dominated Dr Samia SS from Tanzania 59-16.
St. Mary’s Kitende showcased their pedigree with a commanding 61-19 win over Kenya’s Andersen SS, and St. Noa Girls’ School triumphed over Lutozo SS from Tanzania with a score of 62-15.
The excitement continued into Matchday 2, where the Ugandan teams faced off against each other.
Kitende bested St. Noa Girls’ 53-40, and Kawanda SS narrowly defeated Buddo SS 41-40 in a nail-biting encounter.
Today, three of the four Ugandan teams were back in action on Matchday 3, at the games that are being held at Mbale Cricket Grounds, and all delivered wins with stellar performances.
St. Mary’s Kitende defeated Bumala AC SS from Kenya 49-25, while Buddo SS bounced back from their previous loss against Kawanda with a sensational 80-18 victory over Rwanda’s GS Gahini, marking the largest win of the tournament so far.
Kawanda SS also secured a solid 46-30 win against Oyugi Ogango Girls from Kenya.
In Pool B, St. Noa Girls’ School, having had a day off, is set to return to the court on Friday, where they will face Bumala AC SS, while St. Mary’s Kitende, who are the pool’s leaders, will take on Lutozo SS from Tanzania.
In Pool A, Buddo SS is scheduled to play Dr Samia SS from Tanzania on Friday, and Kawanda SS will compete against GS Gahini from Rwanda on Saturday.
With the semi-finals approaching on Sunday, August 25, all Ugandan teams are optimistic about securing their spots.
The FEASSA Games, which will run until August 27, have seen Uganda consistently dominate the netball scene.
Of the 20 editions that the tournament has been organised, Uganda has won all of them, with St. Mary’s Kitende triumphant on 18 occasions and Gombe SS and St. Noa Girls, also of Uganda being the other winners in 2002 and 2018, respectively.
This year’s is the 21st edition, and it seems that Uganda is out there to maintain its dominance.
