FEASSA President Justus Mugisha introduces strict guidelines to combat ineligible student players in upcoming Games

By Emmanuel Sekago

As the Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) gears up for the highly anticipated 2024 games, set to kick off on Friday, August 16th at Bukedea Comprehensive School and Amus College School, FEASSA President Justus Mugisha has introduced new and stringent guidelines aimed at eliminating ineligible student players from secondary and primary school competitions.

The decision comes in response to a flood of complaints from schools across Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Burundi regarding the fielding of overaged student players in various sporting disciplines during FEASSA competitions. These complaints have raised serious concerns about fairness and integrity within the games.

In a bid to curb this issue, President Mugisha has issued a document, seen by Wallnetnews, outlining the following key directives; Section 3: Registration Requirements:

Clause a) Only student players registered on the USSSA online registration portal are eligible.

Clause b) Only those who were eligible to play in the USSSA, KSSSA, TZSSSA, and RWSSA national championships are permitted to participate in the 2024 FEASSA games.

Clause d) Schools must submit a form on the school’s headed letter, verified by the Headmaster/Principal, containing the student player’s name, class, school, and date of birth, along with signatures from the student player, coach, and games master.

During an interview with Wallnetnews, President Mugisha, with a stern expression, issued a clear warning to all participating schools: “If any school is caught breaching these FEASSA guidelines, there will be no mercy. The only option will be to pack and leave the competition if the matter pins your school.”

Mugisha emphasized that this year’s competition is expected to be highly competitive, and fair play both on and off the field is non-negotiable. He also stressed that any indiscipline by student players, coaches, or games masters will be dealt with accordingly. “These games are for students, and we must ensure that they remain so,” he affirmed.

Mugisha also addressed concerns regarding security and accommodation; He confirmed that all necessary security measures are in place to ensure a safe environment for all participants and visitors.

He reiterated that girls and primary school student players will be housed at Bukedea Comprehensive School, while boys will be accommodated at Amus College School.

In interviews conducted by Wallnetnews, stakeholders responded positively to the new rules, viewing them as a much-needed step towards maintaining the integrity of the games:

Support for Fair Play: “These guidelines are long overdue. Fair competition is essential, and these measures will help ensure that every student has an equal opportunity to compete,” said a school headmaster from Kenya.

Concerns Over Implementation: “The rules are good, but strict implementation will be key. We hope FEASSA will monitor the situation closely to ensure compliance,” commented a sports coach from Tanzania.

Optimism for a Fair Competition: “This year’s games promise to be the fairest yet. With these guidelines in place, we can expect a competition that truly reflects the spirit of East African unity and sportsmanship,” remarked a Ugandan sports analyst.

As the 2024 FEASSA games approach, the introduction of these strict guidelines by President Justus Mugisha marks a significant step toward ensuring a fair and competitive environment. By holding schools accountable and enforcing clear standards, FEASSA aims to uphold the integrity of the games and foster a culture of fair play and discipline among student athletes across East Africa. With security and logistics also firmly in place, all eyes now turn to Bukedea and Amus as they prepare to host what promises to be an unforgettable edition of the FEASSA games.