Beldine Odemba reveals Highway Secondary School’s target ahead of East Africa games

Fresh from leading Highway Secondary School to their maiden Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national football title, the school’s head coach Beldine Odemba is aiming for more success with the team.

Highway booked a direct slot to the East African games after seeing off Western region giants Musingu High School 3-2 in a match that was decided on post-match penalties. The match ended 1-1 on regulation time.

Both finalists booked a slot to the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) games slated for Friday 16 to Tuesday 27 August in Mbale, Uganda.

Fans react to Benson Omala's move from Gor Mahia to Lebanese club

The national champions have been placed in Pool A together with third-placed St. Joseph's Boys and FEASSSA football defending champions St. Mary's Kitende. Bukedea Comprehensive and Benjamin Mkapa are also in the group.

Speaking ahead of the games, the tactician noted that it will be business unusual as they seek to showcase beautiful football on the East African stage.

“I will showcase beautiful football at the East African games, and I expect to at least reach the finals. Reaching the finals will help us book a spot in the International Schools tournament, which we missed last time because of lack of sponsorship,” Odemba explained.

Her main goal is to see her players reap the benefits of playing at the international level.

“My dream is to see my players feature in the international tournament so that they showcase their talent on a bigger stage,” she offered.

Meanwhile, Musingu High School are in Pool B together with St. Julian, Amus College, Ape Rugunga, and Kalangalala.

What makes this year’s FEASSSA games unique

Tusker reveal price and reason behind design of new kits

This will be a championship for firsts. The first time that the Teso region in Uganda is hosting such a championship is 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.

Quins in pool of death as Dala 7s draws are announced

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

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

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

What will make the games even more exciting is the 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.

FEASSSA Pools

Basketball 5 by 5

Girls

Group A: Buruburu Girls Secondary School, Nabisunga Girls’ School, Orkeswa Secondary School, St Mary’s Kitende

Group B: St Noa Girls’ School, Buddo Seconday School, GS Marie Reine Musanze, Kaya Tiwi Secondary School, Butere Girls High School

Boys

Group A: Amus College School, Agoro Sare High School, It’s Gasogi Gasoba, Hope Secondary School

Group B: Dr. Aggrey Boys Sec School, Buddo Sec School, Janan Sec School, Laiser Hill Academy

Volleyball

Girls

Group A: GS St Aloys Rwamagana, Seroma Christian High School, St Elizabeth Sec School, Lugulu Girls H/School, Kwanthanze Sec School

Group B: Kesogon Sec School, Masasi Day Sec School, Nabisunga Girls’ Sec School, Soweto Sec School, Bukedea Comp School

Hockey Girls

Round Robin

Nyamira Girls, Tigoi Girls, Sacred Heart Sec School, Kakungulu Memorial, St Mary’s College, St Joseph Kitale, Bweranyangi Girls

Hockey Boys

Group A: Musingu Sec School, Ntare School, Mbarara High, Arusha Meru

Group B: St Anthony, St Charles Lwanga, Kakungulu Memorial, Kyadondo Secondary

Football

Girls

Group A: Nyakach Girls, St Noa Girls, GS Remera Rukoma, Kawempe Muslim SS, St Joseph Kitale

Group B: Butere Girls, Alliance Secondary, Tanzanite Secondary, Rines Secondary, Amus College

Boys

Group A: St Joseph’s, St Mary’s Kitende, Bukedea Comprehensive, Highway School, Benjamin Mkapa

Group B: St Julian, Amus College, Ape Rugunga, Musingu High, Kalangalala

Rugby 15s

Pool A: All Saints (Kenya), St. Mary’s Kisubi (Uganda), Lenana School (Kenya), Namilyango College (Uganda)

Pool B: Kings College Budo (Uganda), Makerere College (Uganda), Butula Boys (Kenya), Kitondo School (Kenya)

FEASSSA 7s Participants: Bwake Boys (Kenya), Vihiga High School (Kenya), St. Mary’s Yala (Kenya), Kisii School (Kenya), Jinja SS (Uganda), Kiira College (Uganda), Dr. Obote College (Uganda), One representative from Rwanda