Battle for FEASSA slots begins as Netball quarter-finals take centre stage at USSSA National Ball Games II

By Emmanuel Sekago

The race for Uganda’s four qualification slots to the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games gets underway on Tuesday morning at Gulu High School as the country’s top eight secondary school netball teams battle for places in the semi-finals.

The four teams that progress to the last four will automatically qualify to represent Uganda at the FEASSA Games scheduled to take place next month in Morogoro, Tanzania.

The quarter-finalists are St. Noa Girls School-Zana, St. Mary’s Kitende, Greenlight Islamic Secondary School, Kibuli Secondary School, Light College Katikamu, Katende Progressive Secondary School, Hamdan Islamic Secondary School and defending champions Buddo Secondary School.

The eight teams earned their places after surviving a thrilling Round of 16 that produced several closely contested encounters.

Defending champions Buddo Secondary School were pushed all the way before overcoming Ngando Secondary School 24-16 to keep their title defence alive. Kibuli Secondary School eliminated Namagabi Secondary School to book their place in the last eight.

Greenlight Islamic Secondary School advanced after defeating Nile Citizens Secondary School 16-14. The school had earlier been awarded victory following a successful petition against Kaddungala Secondary School for allegedly fielding an impersonator.

One of the biggest matches of the Round of 16 saw Hamdan Islamic Secondary School edge Kawanda Secondary School 29-27 after extra time, following a 23-23 draw in normal time in a contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

St. Noa Girls School-Zana also survived a major scare, narrowly defeating Baptist High School 25-24, while Katende Progressive Secondary School eliminated Dynamic Secondary School with a hard-fought 23-22 victory.

Light College Katikamu secured a 23-19 win over Kimanya Secondary School, while record USSSA champions St. Mary’s Kitende produced one of the most dominant performances of the day, comfortably defeating Merryland High School 28-14.

With qualification for the FEASSA Games at stake, every match is expected to be fiercely contested as the schools chase regional representation.

Netball fans in Gulu City have described the ongoing USSSA National Ball Games II as one of the most exciting editions in recent years, with many predicting highly competitive quarter-final clashes.

Speaking to Wallnetnews Digital, several supporters said the quality of netball on display has been exceptional and expect the battle for the FEASSA slots to produce entertaining and closely fought contests.

Many tipped defending champions Buddo Secondary School and record champions St. Mary’s Kitende as favourites based on their experience, while others believe St. Noa Girls, Kibuli Secondary School, Greenlight Islamic and Hamdan Islamic have shown enough quality to cause major upsets.

With only four tickets available to Morogoro, Tanzania, Tuesday’s quarter-finals are expected to produce drama, intensity and high-quality netball as the country’s finest school teams fight to keep their regional ambitions alive.

Quarter-Final Fixtures

St. Noa Girls School-Zana vs Katende Progressive Secondary School

St. Mary’s Kitende vs Light College Katikamu

Greenlight Islamic Secondary School vs Hamdan Islamic Secondary School

Buddo Secondary School vs Kibuli Secondary School