St Mary’s Kitende dominates FEASSA Netball, clinching 19th trophy in Dramatic Final

FEATURED SPORTS
August 27, 2024
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By Emmanuel Sekago

When you say that St. Mary’s Kitende is a giant in netball, there’s no need to doubt it. With the sheer talent and strategic prowess of their players, no school has come close to matching their dominance. At the 21st edition of the Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Associations (FEASSA) Championship, which officially concluded on Monday, August 26th, 2024, at Bukedea Comprehensive School, St. Mary’s Kitende once again demonstrated their supremacy by clinching their 19th FEASSA netball trophy.

The final was one for the history books, with St. Mary’s Kitende facing off against Kawanda Secondary School, who were making their first appearance in a FEASSA netball final. Kawanda had high hopes of dethroning the reigning champions, but they soon felt the intense pressure and skill from Kitende’s seasoned players.

Kitende began the match with a strong 11-07 lead at the first quarter break. However, Kawanda mounted a fierce comeback in the second quarter, outscoring Kitende 14-8 to take a 21-19 lead into halftime. The third quarter saw Kawanda maintain their slim lead, ending 30-29 in their favor. But as the game progressed into the final quarter, errors from Kawanda allowed Kitende to catch up, tying the game at 38-38 by the end of normal time.

The game was forced into extra time, where Kitende’s experience and resilience shone through. They outscored Kawanda 13-11 in the additional period, securing a 51-49 victory and cementing their place as the undisputed queens of FEASSA netball.

Kato Nuriden Hassan, the head coach of St. Mary’s Kitende, was full of praise for his team’s performance. In an interview with Wallnetnews, he said, “This victory is a testament to the hard work, discipline, and dedication of our players. Kawanda pushed us to the limit, but our girls showed incredible composure and determination to come out on top. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but we had the belief and the talent to see us through.”

Fans who witnessed the thrilling final were equally impressed. Many described it as the toughest and most exciting netball final in FEASSA history. One fan told Wallnetnews, “This was an incredible match. Both teams gave it their all, but Kitende’s experience and skill were the deciding factors. It was a privilege to watch such high-level netball, and Kitende truly deserved the win.”

Another fan added, “Kawanda gave a valiant effort, but Kitende showed why they are the champions. This final will be remembered for a long time, not just for the result but for the quality of netball that was on display.”

St. Mary’s Kitende’s victory at this year’s FEASSA games adds to their already impressive legacy. With 19 trophies out of 21 editions, they have set a standard that will be hard for any other school to match. As the celebrations continue, one thing is clear: St. Mary’s Kitende remains the team to beat in East African school netball, and dethroning them will be a challenge that could take years to accomplish.

Winners in different games:

Rugby 15s

All Saints Embu – Champions (Kenya)

St. Mary’s Kisubi – Runners Up (Uganda)

Makerere College – Bronze Medalists (Uganda)

Rugby 7s

Boys Category:

Vihiga Highschool – Champions (Kenya)

Bwake Boys – Runners Up

Jinja SS- Bronze Medalists (Uganda)

Girls Category

Saint Joseph’s Kitale – Champions (Kenya)