Overview:
USSSA Athletics training camp is preparing the athletics on team Uganda for nationals, regional games (FEASSSA), continental and world schools champions (U-15).
The Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) held a successful athletics training camp in the capital city, Kampala.
Seventy-five of the expected eighty students invited had pitched camp at Old Kampala Secondary School with daily training sessions at the Makerere University sports grounds between 9th to 28th January 2023.
The students were handled by vastly expérienced administrators led by the USSSA Athletics commissionar Mawa.
The head coach of the camp was Raphael Kasajja who was working closely with Justine Bayiga, Ivan Wesonga, Harriet Apolot, Ariokot (Nurse), Opio (physio) and Martin (coach).
On Friday, 27th January 2023, there were compétitive internal trials at Makerere University sports grounds also witnessed by the USSSA president Justus Mugisha, immediate past president Patrick Okanya, Uganda Athletics Federation vice president (administration) Kavuma and the media fraternity.
The USSSA Athletics training camp is a talent Identification and development programe. This is one of the most important projects that we are having as USSSA. I thank Uganda Athletics Fédération (UAF) for granting us the mandate and coopération. I also thank the department of Physical Education and sports. We are preparing for nationals, regional games (FEASSSA), continental and world schools champions (U-15).
Justus Mugisha, President of Uganda Sports Secondary Schools Association (USSSA)
Lawrence Kavuma lauded USSSA for this special programme as he called for more training camps.
I am thrilled by the USSSA athletics camp. Uganda Athletics Federation is very happy for what is going on here. We want to strengthen this relationship. This is the future of athletics in Uganda. I call upon more training camps. This is the future of our athletics in Uganda. As Uganda Athletics Federation, we appreciate the efforts of Uganda Secondary School Sports Association (USSSA). The future is indeed bright.
Lawrence Kavuma, Vice President Uganda Athletics federation (UAF)
Kavuma also urged the young athletes to remain focused with education.
Athletes’ captain Priscilla Akello appreciated the management of USSSA for the camp opportunity.
Akello hailed their coaches for the work well done throughout the course of the camp.
« I thank USSSA management for planning this training camp as we improve our skills. I thank the coaches who have handled us well throughout the period of the camp. We promise not to give up. » Akello, a student at Standard High School, Zana revealed.
Head coach of the camp Rafaeal Kasajja envisages the camp as a golden opportunity to prepare for the upcoming national, regional, continental and world events.
« The USSSA Athletics camp will help us prepare for the national championships, regional (FEASSSA), continental and world events in Brazil » Kasajja noted.
Mawa, the USSSA athletics commissionar thanked different stakeholders who in a way or another worked to have the happen.
« I thank Old Kampala Secondary School, Makerere University management for training ground, Standard High Zana for the bus, I thank USSSA for this programme » Mawa noted.
The camp had 75 students from across the country ; 57 of these from secondary schools and the rest primary pupils.
The camp was funded by USSSA and the Government of Uganda.
Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) is one of the vibrant sports bodies famed for talent identification and nurturing.