USSSA petitions Ministry of Education over Netball Normalization process, calls for transparent reforms

By Emmanuel Sekago

KAMPALA, Uganda – The Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA)  petitioned the Ministry of Education and Sports, expressing significant concerns regarding the Uganda Netball Normalization Committee’s recent activities.

The letter, which Wallnetnews has obtained, was also copied to the National Council of Sports (NCS) and the Commissioner of Physical Education. USSSA emphasized the importance of netball development, noting that it is the country’s second most popular sport and integral to the Ugandan education system.

Netball enjoys extensive participation across Uganda, with players ranging from primary school to tertiary institutions. In 2024 alone, USSSA recorded 47,742 girls and 2,209 boys participating in inter-primary school netball, while 43,179 girls competed in inter-secondary school events.

USSSA has also facilitated training for 487 umpires and 470 coaches, underscoring its commitment to the sport’s development. The association pointed out that its consistent efforts are a contrast to the challenges faced by the sport’s national governing body.

The petition highlights several key issues with the Normalization Committee’s handling of the netball federation’s restructuring process. USSSA claims that the committee has registered Non-Existent Clubs, charging UGX 200,000 per team to participate.

This, they say, undermines the integrity of the process, Excluded Elected District Delegates: According to USSSA, the committee bypassed elected district representatives, thus marginalizing voices that represent the local netball community,

USSSA argues that the Normalization Committee added irrelevant qualifications to favor certain candidates over others, potentially skewing the election process and the association asserts that the committee has shown bias by setting qualification criteria that exclude some stakeholders, and questions the committee’s commitment to fair and transparent elections.

In response to these concerns, USSSA outlined several “prayers” or requests to address the issues, including; Nullifying All Provisional Resolutions:

USSSA requests that decisions made by provisional members at the Extra-Ordinary Assembly on September 21, 2024, be rescinded,

The association urges that clubs registered by the Normalization Committee be deemed non-voting until they demonstrate active participation in at least two seasons,

USSSA calls for a formal assembly of elected district delegates within two weeks to review the constitution, approve election guidelines, and appoint a neutral returning officer and the petition asks for the removal of selective qualifications deemed to unfairly target certain candidates, ensuring a level playing field for all participants.

USSSA further urged the Normalization Committee to prioritize the genuine stakeholders in Ugandan netball, ensuring a process that fosters transparency, inclusivity, and the sport’s growth.

After hearing of USSSA’s petition, various stakeholders voiced their support for the association’s demands in interviews with Wallnet News.

A local club representative shared, “We need to make sure the process is open to everyone who has contributed to netball in Uganda. No one should be sidelined.”

Another coach emphasized, “The future of netball depends on fair practices that include grassroots leaders. Only then can we develop the sport for the benefit of our communities.”

As the petition awaits a response from the Ministry, stakeholders across the country are hopeful that this call for reform will lead to a more transparent and inclusive approach to governing netball in Uganda.