FEASSA Games 2024: Basketball 3×3 draws set the stage for intense competition

By Emmanuel Sekago

The long-awaited Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games 2024 will see the Basketball 3×3 competition tip off on Saturday, August 17th, 2024, at the Amus College School Basketball courts in Bukedea District. Following today’s draws, held on Monday, the matchups are now clear, and the excitement is building as teams prepare to face off in what promises to be a fiercely contested tournament.

In the girls’ category, defending champions St. Mary’s Kitende find themselves in what is arguably the “group of death” in Group B. They will compete against strong opponents, including, Nabisunsa Girls (Uganda), APE-Rugunga (Rwanda), St. Joseph’s Kitale (Kenya) and Nasokol Girls.

Despite the tough draw, St. Mary’s Kitende head coach Okello Bonface remains confident in his team’s ability to defend their title. When asked about his chances of progressing from the group, Okello responded decisively: “You cannot ask me if I will qualify from the group yet I have come for the trophy.” Acknowledging the challenge ahead, he added, “This is the toughest group of all. We hope to do our best to get through; we shall have to handle every game as a knockout meeting, so we have a lot to do.”

Group A in the girls’ category includes, St. Noa Girls (Uganda) – USSSA National Ball Games Two Basketball 3×3 Champions, Raila Education Centre (Kenya), Seroma Christian School (Uganda), Butere Girls (Kenya) and Mbinga Girls (Tanzania).

In the boys’ category, co-host Amus College School, making their debut in this year’s competition, faces a daunting challenge in Group B, which includes, Friends School Kamusinga (Kenya), Gasogi Gasaba School (Rwanda), Kibuli Secondary School (Uganda) and Onjiko High School (Kenya),  while Group A features, Buddo Secondary School (Uganda), Dodoma Secondary School (Tanzania), St. Joseph’s Kitale (Kenya), Seroma Christian School (Uganda) and Sawagongo High School (Kenya).

Calvin Opio, the games master at Amus College School, shared his thoughts on the draw and the expectations as co-hosts and debutants in the competition. In an interview with Wallnetnews, Opio stated, “Being drawn in a group of death adds pressure, but it also motivates us to push harder. We are eager to make a strong debut and, as co-hosts, we have high expectations of making it to the finals. Our team is focused, and we’re ready to give it our all.”

Stakeholders also weighed in on the Basketball 3×3 draws, expressing a mix of excitement and caution, “Both the boys’ and girls’ categories have some very tough groups. It’s going to be interesting to see how the teams handle the pressure, especially in the group of death,” said a sports analyst.

High Stakes for Co-hosts: “Amus College School has a lot riding on this competition as both debutants and co-hosts. They have the home advantage, but they’re up against some of the best teams in the region,” commented a local coach.
Anticipation for the Games: “The draw has set the stage for what could be one of the most competitive FEASSA Basketball 3×3 tournaments in years. The fans are in for a treat,” noted a stakeholder.

With the draw now finalized, the stage is set for a thrilling Basketball 3×3 competition at the FEASSA Games 2024. Teams like St. Mary’s Kitende and Amus College School are preparing for tough battles in their respective groups, but both remain confident in their abilities to advance. As the competition tips off on August 17th, all eyes will be on the courts at Amus College School in Bukedea District, where East Africa’s top school teams will go head-to-head for the coveted titles.