Kabaka Birthday Volleyball Festival: Nkumba edge Sky in five-set thriller

• Nkumba 3-2 Sky (21-25, 25-18, 24-26, 25-20, 15-12)

The 2019 Kabaka Birthday Volleyball Festival officially came to an end on Wednesday night at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium.

Nkumba University claimed the men’s club category after defeating Sky, 3-2 (21-25, 25-18, 24-26, 25-20, 15-12), in the five-set thriller.

Sky drew first blood in the entertaining game watched by sparse but noisy crowd, taking the opening set 25-21.

Nkumba imposed their superiority to draw level after dorminating the second set 25-18.

The third set was back and forth with sides exchanging leads but Sky edged ahead to win it 26-24.

While Sky was primed for the win, pressure started to creep in giving away points even from the service box and lack of communication on court. Nkumba prevailed 25-20 to force a tiebreaker.

Sky benefited from Nkumba poor service to start the set and went ahead 3-0. However, Nkumba regroup and brought the game level and pressure was again back to haunt Sky who who committed error after error, most unforced and Nkumba took the day.

Tournament director Eddie Okila was pleased with the growth of the tournament, now it third edition and anticipates a bigger one in 2020.

“Three years down the road the tournament has picked up and this year we have had a huge turn-up. We had 25 primary schools and 27 secondary schools, 22 clubs and 7 corporates. We are not taking that lightly and we think 2020 will be a very great one,” Okila told Kawowo Sports.

Other Category winners

Nkumba University, aguarbly the strongest team in the women’s league, beat Ndejje University 3-0 in the women finals for the clubs.

In the U-12, Samaritan Primary School, Namugongo won 2-1 over Sunrise Primary Schoool, Matugga.

The U-14 boys trophy was won by Samaritan Primary School, Namugongo who beat St James Nkumba 2-1 in the final.

U-14 girls category was won by Sunrise Primary Matugga after a 2-0 triumph over Samaritan Primary School, Namugongo.

Junior Sumaya Girls School, Nsangi beat Matugga 2-1 in the Juniors girls event.

Under the Juniors Boys arrangement, Namugongo Vocational beat Dynamic S.S 2-0

The senior girls event was won by Kinawa High School, Mugongo after overcoming Namugongo Vocational 2-1 in the final.

Three time champions Mbogo Mixed defended the boy’s title with a 2-0 over Kinawa Kawempe.

Centenary Bank beat Buganda Land Board to win the corporate category.