87 sprinters in camp as Uganda prepares for FEASSA athletics in Tanzania
According to Kasajja, 67 of the sprinters are from secondary schools while 40 are in the primary category.
Athletes competing during the National Championship in Gulu
Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) athletics coach Rafael Kasajja has expressed strong confidence in Uganda's athletics squad currently camped in Teriat, Kapchorwa, and Kids of Africa in Entebbe, ahead of the Federation of East Africa Schools Sports (FEASSSA) games scheduled to run from August 12 to 23, 2026, in Morogoro, Tanzania.
"The athletes look fit and excited about the training. We have experienced coaches on the ground doing a great job and we are hoping to win several accolades in Morogoro," Kasajja said.
According to Kasajja, 67 of the sprinters are from secondary schools while 40 are in the primary category.
"It's great that the entire team is staying together in one place. That helps them bond and build team spirit, which is critical for performance. I strongly believe this team will competently represent Uganda," he said.
The training, which officially kicked off on July 26, has registered 87 sprinters comprising secondary and primary schools' competitors selected from the recently concluded USSSA National Ball Games Two and Athletics held at Sacred Hearts Girls School in Gulu, and Iganga for the primary school side.
Christopher Mugisha Banage, USSSA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said the camp is used for equipping athletes in physical ability, skills training, injury prevention and management, nutrition, and mental training.
"We have found it difficult to beat Kenya in athletics, but this time around with the team selected, I'm optimistic that Uganda will break the monopoly in Kakamega," Banage noted.
Muhammad Abdullah, the head of the Technical Commission for Athletics at USSSA, while speaking to Vision Sports, said, "Athletics has historically been a tough battlefield for Uganda at the FEASSA Games, especially against traditional powerhouses like Kenya. But with a strong pipeline of talent and a structured training camp, the Ugandan contingent is determined to rewrite the narrative."
According to Abdullah, the final travelling squads will be named after trials to be conducted in the camp. The teams will then depart for Morogoro on August 9.
Uganda will be represented by 1,500 athletes in this year's edition, with athletics contributing 106 athletes while the rest will come from basketball 3x3, netball, handball, rugby, and volleyball, among others.