The 2022 USSSA Elite schools’ sports championship kicked off on Friday, 25th February at the St Mary’s Boarding Secondary School, Kitende.
There was action in football (boys and girls), basketball and netball.
Despite the low turn up of schools as most institutions recover from the COVID-19 pandemic effects, there was juicy action over all the games with something to report home.
In boys’ football, Standard High School – Zana won it late, 1-0 over Royal Giants during the opening game at St Mary’s Stadium.
Bashir Kintu capitalized on sloppy defending by the goalkeeper to pounce home the winner with three minutes to play.
The second game witnessed hosts St Mary’s Kitende (A) win comprehensively 3-0 over Mukono based Dynamic SS.
Fazil Tumwine grabbed a brace and second half subsistute Brian Olega got the other goal.
The final boy’s game had St Mary’s Kitende B team recover from a goal down to beat Jinja SS.
David Kaija struck home a beautiful free-kick for the opener as early as the 8th minute.
Magidu Munbi replied with the equalizer on 28 minutes as the first half ended 1-goal apiece.
St Mary’s Kitende scored two second half goals from Raymond Balaza and captain Justin Opiro in the 46th and 83rd minutes to win the game.
Football Girls:
St Noa and Kawempe Muslim shared the spoils, 1-all.
Mandela Nancy gave St Noa the lead towards the end of the first half before Suzan Naluloda found Kawempe Muslim’s equalizer in the subsequent half.
God Cares High fell 1-0 to Gadafi Intergrated in the second game on the day.
Brenda Akantu netted an unfortunate own goal.
Basketball Girls:
St Mary’s Kitende A team started brilliantly with a 72-18 massive win over MaryHill.
Nabisunsa Girls edged St Mary’s Kitende B 21-18.
Netball:
St Mary’s Kitende A overcame Dynamic A 32-14 and St Mary’s Kitende B beat Dynamic B 31-14.
USSSA president Patrick Okanya graced the opening day, flanked by the director of St Mary’s Kitende Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa.
Action continues with action on day two (Saturday, February 26, 2022).
Boy’s football will be spread at St Mary’s Stadium (main) and the outside ground as well as at St Mary’s College, Kisubi (SMACK) playground.
Basketball and netball will be played at the St Mary’s Kitende courts.
This championship is a precursor to the upcoming schools’ sports season where the different schools shall be engaged in the zonal and district qualifiers for the main finals.
USSSA Elite Schools Sports Championship 2022 (Day one Results):
Football Boys:
- Royal Giants 0-1 Standard High School
- St Mary’s Kitende A 3-0 Dynamic SS
- Jinja SS 1-3 St Mary’s B
Football Girls:
- St Noa 1-1 Kawempe Muslim
- God Cares High 0-1 Gadafi Intergrated
Basketball Girls:
- Nabisunsa 21-18 St Mary’s Kitende B
- St Mary’s Kitende A 72-18 Maryhill
Netball:
- St Mary’s Kitende A 32-14 Dyanamic A
- St Mary’s Kitende B 31-14 Dynamic B
