UMEA Solidarity Games return to Kawanda S.S in post COVID-19 epoch

• Competition: 2023 UMEA Solidarity Games
• Games: Football (Boys & Girls), Volleyball (Boys & Girls), Handball (Boys & Girls), Racket Games (Boys & Girls), Netball (Girls)
• Host school: Kawanda Secondary School
• Dates: 7^th – 10^th April

The Muslim-faith founded schools will once again converge at Kawanda Secondary School for the annual UMEA Solidarity Games over the Easter weekend (7^th to 10^th April 2023).

These games were skipped in 2020, 2021 and 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged the entire world, Uganda inclusive.

Chairman of the UMEA Solidarity Games organizing committee Hajji Twahil Kiteezala and his working committee confirmed that indeed the games are returning.

This was during a media briefing with the Directors and Head Teachers of the various Schools at Kawanda SS on Thursday, 23^rd February 2023.

Kiteezala was flanked by the Director of Kawanda SS Hajji Muhammad Maseruka, the General secretary UMEA Games Hajji Hussein Luwembawo Kyagulanyi and the other members of the working team.

He confirmed that these games that were not held in the last three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic will be back in April.

We are glad that the UMEA Solidarity Games are back and forth after three years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kawanda S.S will host the rest of the schools on the Easter weekend (7^th –  10^th April 2023). We are happy to be back. We urge stakeholders to join in the sponsorship of these games.

Hajji Twahil Kiteezala, Chairman of the UMEA Solidarity Games organizing committee

Games available:

The schools will compete in football (Boys and Girls), Netball (Girls), Volleyball (Boys and Girls), Handball (Boys and Girls) as well as the Racket Games (Boys and Girls).

These Racket games include Table Tennis, Badminton and Tennis.

Kawanda S.S head teacher Maseruka expressed readiness to host these games with preparations already underway to have a tranquil championship.

We are more than ready to host the UMEA Solidarity Games 2023 at Kawanda Secondary School. We are polishing up the facilities onto which these games will be played. Other amenities likes the accommodation facilities are also in place.

Hajji Muhammad Maseruka, Director of Kawanda Secondary School

Schools from the different corners of the county are expected to grace these games.

Perennial participants as Kasawo S.S, Masaka S.S, Kibuli S.S, Welden High School (Mbarara city), Kasese Muslim (Kasese), Kawempe Muslim, Mbogo Schools (College and High), Nkoma S.S (Mbale), Bulo Parents (Mpigi) and others are expected to attend.

UMEA Games record winners Kibuli Secondary School are tipped to field a big field in almost all the games.

Besides being part of the respective schools’ co-circular activities, these games are used as a precursor for the Muslim faith founded schools to prepare for the different national games organized under the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA).