USSSA Elite Games head to Mpigi with Rugby 7s debut

__________________

This year’s edition of the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Elite Games will see rugby 7s introduced, joining football, handball, volleyball, netball, basketball 3X3, and basketball. 

The competition, set for February 14-16, this year, at St Joseph of Nazareth in Mpigi, now features seven disciplines.

The USSSA Elite Games bring together secondary school teams that finished in the top eight positions of the previous national competitions, providing a platform for early-season preparation.

In this sixth edition, national boys’ football champions St Julian will make their debut, eager to prove that their 3-0 victory over Amus College in last year’s final was no fluke. National silver medalists and FEASSA Games winners Amus College, alongside rivals Bukedea Comprehensive, will be among the top contenders aiming to dethrone defending champions Jinja Progressive Academy (JIPRA).

Competition format

The boys’ football tournament features two groups:

Group A has St Julian High, Bukedea Comprehensive, Jinja Secondary School, and Standard High Zzana.

Group B on the other hand has Amus College, defending champions JIPRA, Kisozi Seed SS, and hosts St Joseph of Nazareth Mpigi.

For the girls, Group A includes record winners Kawempe Muslim, Sacred Heart Gulu, Bukedea Comprehensive, and Uganda Martyrs, while Group B features Amus College, St Noa Girls, Sheema Girls, and Boni Consilii Vocational School. The remaining six disciplines will be played in a round-robin format.

Hosts ready

Charles Yiga, sports director at St Joseph of Nazareth, says the school is fully prepared to host the event.

“As St Joseph of Nazareth High School, we’re more than ready to host the elite games. All sports fields have been worked on. The netball court and rugby field are in excellent condition to protect players from injuries. What sets us apart from previous hosts is that all athletes will be accommodated in self-contained dormitories with beds,” Yiga said.

The USSSA Mpigi Zone has supported the school in organising the games, ensuring all venues are ready.

“As USSSA Mpigi Zone, we are happy to have secured the hosting rights to these games, and we have done everything to make a difference in hosting history. All the facilities—St Joseph of Nazareth, St Lawrence High School Crown City, St Maria Goretti SS Katende, and Mpigi Police Playground—are ready,” said Mpigi zone official Kelvin Walakila.

Teams are expected to report on Thursday, February 13, ahead of the games kicking off on Friday and concluding on Sunday.