FEASSA Games 2024: St. Mary’s Kitende to face Bukedea Comprehensive in group stages

By Emmanuel Sekago

The defending champions in the boys’ football category, St. Mary’s Boarding Secondary School – Kitende, will face Bukedea Comprehensive School in the group stages of the 21st edition of the Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games.

The draws, held today, Monday, August 12th, 2024, at the USSSA headquarters, GNZ Plaza in Kampala, Uganda, set the stage for what promises to be an intense competition in Bukedea District, running from August 16th to 27th, 2024.

St. Mary’s Kitende, the defending champions, have been placed in Group A, alongside Bukedea Comprehensive School (Uganda), St. Joseph’s Kitale (Kenya), Highway High School (Kenya) and Mkapa Secondary School (Tanzania).

Kitende, who claimed the title last year in Huye, Rwanda, after defeating rivals Amus College School in a dramatic final decided by penalty kicks (5-3 after a 1-1 draw in normal time), will be determined to defend their crown.

Group B features, St. Julian School (Uganda) – Current Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association champions, Amus College School (Uganda) – Co-hosts, APE-Rugunga (Rwanda), Musinga High School (Kenya) and Kalangalala Secondary School (Tanzania).

Ronald Mulajje, games teacher at St. Mary’s Kitende, shared his thoughts on the draw and the upcoming competition in an interview with Wallnetnews: “We are in a challenging group, but as defending champions, we are ready to face any team. Our goal is to defend the title, and we have prepared well for it. The competition will be tough, but we are confident in our squad.”

Mwalimu Nimrod Kintu, the head coach of Amus College School, also spoke about the draw: “Being in Group B with teams like St. Julian and APE-Rugunga is a significant challenge, but we are up for it. Playing on home soil gives us an advantage, and we are determined to make it to the finals again. The boys are motivated, and we expect great things.”

In the girls’ football category, defending champions Kawempe Muslim School have been drawn in Group A, where they will face Nyakach Girls (Kenya), St. Noa Girls (Uganda), GS-Remera Rukoma (Rwanda) and St. Josephs Girls (Kenya).

In, Group B includes, Butere Girls (Kenya), Alliance Secondary School (Tanzania), Tanzanite Secondary School (Tanzania), Rines Secondary School (Uganda) and Amus College School (Uganda) – Co-hosts.

Ayub Khalifan, head coach of Kawempe Muslim School, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to perform well: “We have a strong squad, and our preparations have been thorough. We know the competition will be stiff, especially with teams like Nyakach Girls and St. Noa in our group, but we are ready to defend our title.”

Frank Anyau, the technical director at Amus College School, also shared his views on the girls’ draw: “Our girls are excited and motivated. Being in Group B is tough, but we believe in our abilities. We are co-hosts, and that comes with pressure, but also the support of the home crowd. We aim to go far in this tournament.”

As the FEASSA Games 2024 approach, the stage is set for an exciting and competitive tournament. With top teams like St. Mary’s Kitende and Kawempe Muslim School determined to defend their titles, and strong contenders like Bukedea Comprehensive School and Amus College School aiming to make their mark, fans can expect thrilling matches from start to finish. The teams are ready, and the anticipation is building as East Africa’s best school teams prepare to battle it out in Bukedea.