USSSA makes history, as Kitende, Oyirwoth, Khalifan win top prizes

By Emmanuel Sekago

The Best USSSA – Excellence Awards took place at Imperial royale hotel in Kampala on Friday, with some of the most high-profile figures and schools in the sport competing for honours in a number of different categories.

St Marys secondary school -Kitende was named the Sports School of the year 2023.

It was the first time in the history, the body mandated to run secondary sports, Uganda secondary schools sports association (USSSA) to organise the awards in a way to recognise the best athletes, games teachers and schools.

The Kitende based school saw off close competition from Kibuli Secondary School and Buddo Secondary School who had outstanding performances in school sports throughout the year but St Marys secondary school-Kitende edged higher than the two schools.

It should noted that St Marys-Kitende won the USSSA – National Boys’ football championship earlier this year as they beat St Henry’s Kitovu to the trophy held in FortPortal City, they went on to lift the Federation of East African Schools Sports Associations (FEASSA) games trophy held in Huye, Rwanda.

Kitende are the champion for netball, both in the country and in East Africa, Girls’ basketball champions in the 5×5 and 3×3 in the country and East Africa, in this same month they lifted the CECAFA Zonal CAF African Schools Championship for the U15s to qualify for the continental games slated for next year after fighting tooth and nail to beat Tanzania in spot kicks after a one -all stalemate in full-time the competition held in Nairobi, Kenya at Kasarani annex stadium.

Also Kitende games teacher, Grace Kyolaba walked home with the female sports teacher of the year Award emerging the best ahead of Atwesige Marion of Buddo Secondary school and Alwenyi Alice of Mengo secondary school.

Ayub Khalifan the head coach of Kawempe Muslim Secondary School was named the best male coach of the year, winning the FEASSA girls football trophy in Huye, Rwanda, Silver medalist at the Fresh Dairy -USSSA girls football in Mbarara and Champion at the CECAFA Zonal CAF Africa schools competion for U-15s while Mugisha Lillian the coach in swimming took the female coach of the year, it was the first time in the histry of FEASSA games Uganda winning the overall trophy both boys and girls in Swimming.

Allan Oyirwoth from Amus College School-Bukedea walked off with the best Male Athlete of the year ahead of Mutatwala Ephraim (Hockey) of Namilyango and Barigye Mathew (Tennis) of Ntare School while St. Noah Girls Secondary School’s Nyimwungere Peace Olga was named the Female Athlete of the year as she saw off tight competition from Katemba Karima (Swimming) of Agha Khan and Birungi Winnie (Tennis) of Kibuli secondary school.

For, the Male sports teacher of the year award was won by Kasujja Erias of Kibuli Secondary School after being ranked ahead of Ssentumbwe William from St. Noah Girls Secondary School and Mulaje Ronald of St Marys secondary school -Kitende.

The USSSA and FEASSA president, Justus Mugisha couldn’t hide his happiness seeing best athletes, sports teachers and schools being recognised.

“I am very happy that these awards have started in my time as president although the idea was already there before my time. We as USSSA know that children begin school at the age of six years therefore we are ready to facilitate their development in sport.” said Mugisha.

Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi the head coach of Kawempe Muslim Secondary School was named the best male coach of the year with Mugisha Lillian in swimming being named the female coach of the year.
Meanwhile, the best primary school of the year award went to St Stephens of Heritage Masaka and the fair play award of the year went to St Noa Girls School Zzana.