Upcoming 2024 FEASSSA Games, a vivid fill-up for sports facilities’ puzzle in Teso region

As Uganda gets ready to host the 2024 FEASSSA Games (16^th to 27^th August), there is every justification to jubilate.

It will be a championship for firsts. The first time that the Teso region is hosting such a championship expected to have over 3000 students from five countries; Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.

It is also the first time that two schools will jointly share the hosting rights.

Bukedea Comprehensive School and Amus College School will play host to these games.

Most importantly, it is the first-time schools are entirely putting up sports amenities to host these games.

The two Bukedea based schools have indeed set a precedent with the amazing infrastructure coming up.

A semi-Olympic size swimming pool, indoor multi-purpose sports complex and a 10,000 seater stadium are in the final stages of completion at Bukedea Comprehensive school.

Amus College School on the other hand, has put up five football grounds including a 10,000 seater stadium with an 8-lane running track as well four natural grass pitches and all weather volleyball, netball, handball and basketball courts.

FEASSSA officials from the host nation Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania had a tour around these facilities on Tuesday, 18^th June 2024.

The inspection followed a rich plenary session led by the FEASSSA and USSSA president general Justus Mugisha.

Mugisha is humbled by the initiative, passion and commitment from the investors of these sports facilities, recommitting Uganda’s readiness to host the games.

“Uganda is ready to host the 2024 FEASSSA Games and this will be the first time that such games are played on facilities put in place entirely by school management. This is a milestone for FEASSSA as the sports facilities in place will also be used by other sports federations in the country, the region and on the continent. There is a race against time to have the facilities polished up which is achievable” Mugisha stated.

FEASSSA secretary general David Ngugi, like Mugisha commended the management of Bukedea Comprehensive and Amus College for the special effort but he cautioned them to quicken up the process in a race against time.

“As FEASSSA, we remain impressed by Bukedea Comprehensive and Amus College for putting in place such sports facilities. This is the first time that schools in FEASSSA region construct facilities specially for the games. There is however need to speed up the constructions and the necessary finishings to have the games successfully held. We shall have a plenary session on Wednesday for a Plan B in case the facilities fail on time” Ngugi noted.

FEASSSA Games vice president of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Rev. Dr Canon Duncans Mugumya represented the minister of state for sports Hon. Peter Ogwang during the inspection.

Rev. Dr. Mugumya envisages these developments in light of growing Uganda’s sports sub-sector.

“We are impressed by the facilities at both Bukedea Comprehensive and Amus College. This is a step in the right direction for Uganda’s sports to blossom. We believe that with the remaining time to come, the facilities will be polished up to have the best games” Rev. Dr. Canon Mugumya stated.

The FEASSSA Games entail schools in secondary, primary and special needs with a curtain of sports disciplines as football, netball, hockey, swimming, rugby, Table Tennis, Badminton, handball and others.

Other concerns as accommodation, internal transport of players and officials, water and electricity, medical and the like are also being taken into keen consideration.

The games will commence on 16^th August and climax by the 27^th August 2024 with two additional light-up moments for the nation and cultural nights, like it is the case for international competitions.

Still, this will be the first time that such festivities are held by the FEASSSA management.