UPSSA expands sports disciplines to enhance talent development
UPSSA President William Bwambale emphasized the importance of introducing more sports disciplines at the primary school level to increase participation and uncover more talent.
Girls compete in football during the UPSSA Ball Games in Soroti in September last year. PHOTO: Aloysius Byamukama
Aloysius Byamukama
Journalist @New Vision
The Uganda Primary Schools Sports Association (UPSSA) has outlined plans to expand primary school competition disciplines as part of its 2025 targets, aiming to enhance talent identification and development.
UPSSA President William Bwambale emphasized the importance of introducing more sports disciplines at the primary school level to increase participation and uncover more talent.
“We are the foundation for talent identification in the country. If we don’t start at the primary level, it becomes challenging to identify these gifts early. This year, we aim to expand from five to eight disciplines to get more children involved in sports,” Bwambale stated.
Currently, UPSSA organizes competitions in five disciplines: netball, volleyball, handball, football, athletics, and goal-ball for children with visual impairments. The association plans to introduce tennis, table tennis, swimming, and basketball to the existing lineup.
However, Bwambale highlighted insufficient funding as a major challenge, despite government support through the Physical Education and Sports Department of the Ministry of Education and Sports. “We are grateful for the government’s continued support, but the funds have become inadequate as participation numbers have grown significantly. More schools are joining, and we need increased funding to better organize competitions and sustain talent development,” he explained.
The government currently allocates sh60 million to UPSSA and sh7.5 billion to the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA). Last year, following a collaboration between UPSSA and USSSA, the primary schools’ association received sh200 million in relief support from USSSA.
In 2023, UPSSA recorded its highest participation numbers yet, with 5,500 children competing in kids’ athletics in Kitgum and 7,500 participating in ball games in Soroti.
This year, UPSSA’s activities will see Kabale host the kids’ athletics in May, while the venues for the ball games and FEASSA qualifiers are yet to be announced.