Team Uganda has officially been flagged off to participate in the 2024 International School Sport Federation (ISF) Gymnasiade, scheduled to take place in Bahrain from October 23 to 31.
The contingent, comprising 94 members, includes 52 athletes from different schools, along with officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA), team managers, coaches, and media.
Representing Uganda at the event will be students from Mbogo Mixed SS, Mbogo High School, Mbogo College School, Rubaga Girls’ School, Kibuli SS, St. Mary’s Kitende and Seroma Christian High School.
The team will compete in six sports disciplines including swimming, athletics, badminton, tennis, table tennis, and basketball.
The flag-off event, held at Cooper Chimney, Lugogo earlier today, was presided over by Rev. Canon Dr. Duncans Mugumya, Commissioner of Physical Education and Sports at the Ministry of Education and Sports.
He urged the athletes to represent Uganda with pride and unity, emphasizing the significance of competing as one national team rather than individual schools.
“Go and make Uganda proud,” Mugumya encouraged the athletes. “Represent your motherland with pride and love.”
USSSA President Justus Mugisha will lead the delegation, with Zziwa Troy Adrian from Kibuli SS (tennis) and Nanyonga Maria from Seroma Christian High School (basketball) serving as team captains.
USSSA Vice President Hajji Twahil Kiteezaala, addressing the delegation, highlighted the importance of discipline and maintaining a winning mentality, stressing that Team Uganda had been well-prepared for the competition.
Ambrose Tashobya, Chairperson of the National Council of Sports, added that while winning medals may not be guaranteed, giving their best effort is a sure path to personal and national pride.
The delegation will depart from Entebbe Airport on October 22, 2024, and is expected to return to Uganda on November 1.
The athletes expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to represent Uganda on the world stage, hopeful of bringing home medals to make the nation proud.
