As Team Uganda was given a rousing send-off to represent the country at the upcoming FEASSA Games in Bukedea district, a stern warning was issued by the State Minister for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang.
The Minister underscored the importance of fair play and urged the national organizing committee to maintain the integrity of the games by strictly adhering to age eligibility rules.
The FEASSA Games are a regional competition bringing together secondary school students from East Africa.
Generally, age cheating has been a vice around school sports events in Uganda over the years.
This practice, where older athletes pose as eligible students to gain an unfair advantage, has undermined the spirit of competition and robbed deserving young talents of opportunities to shine.
In a bid to curb this rampant vice, Minister Ogwang issued a firm directive to the organizing committee.
“I want to see a level playing field for all participants. We cannot allow 35-year-olds to compete against 18-year-olds. This is not only unfair but also a blatant disregard for the rules of the game,” he declared.
This year’s FEASSA Games will be held at Bukedea Comprehensive School and Amus College School in Bukedea district of Teso sub-region and slated to commence on 16th August 2024.
Uganda was the overall winner of the 20th edition managing a total of 37 medals. Minister Peter Ogwang urged the participants to defend the title.
