The Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) has released the list of qualified teams for this year’s edition of the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) games due in the Rwanda City of Huye starting August 17 to 29.

And while the qualified teams include the usual top sides in all the 14 disciplines, volleyball makes the exception as two unfamiliar names occupy slots that had hitherto been occupied by common names.

Bukedea Comprehensive and Ngora High School both from USSSA Teso zone will make their maiden appearance at the games, having clinched silver in both boys and girls volleyball at the recently ended USSSA ball games II in Kabale.

Ngora High last tested national glory in 1993 with the boys’ volleyball team led by Julius Omugur but that was the climax of their competition as there were no FEASSSA games then, but getting back to this level and competing for national titles in different disciplines has been easy for them.

And while Ngora can have a history to remember, Bukedea Comprehensive are just coming into national competitions, this having been their maiden appearance at the national level and reaching as far as the final, only to lose narrowly 3-2 to holders Standard High School Zzana to settle for silver.

And likewise, Ngora High girls' volleyball team will have to take a brag in Rwanda, having reached their maiden final only to lose 3-0 to holders St Elizabeth Mbarara.

“It was good reaching finals having finished 14th in the previous games in Lira and we hope to do well in Rwanda as debutants for FEASSSA. The entire school community is excited including old Students who are keenly following activities at the school. The School administration under head teacher Elphaz Opolot Ewalu is ready to give support to the team to make sure they do well in Rwanda,” Says Ngora High games teacher Peter Okwi.

The Ngora team of Fatuma Aimo, Sasaka Biliah Nakhendo, Rachael Achom, Visikwa Florence Wafula, Glotia Chepchumba, and Awino Mishel Okumu are a force to reckon on for glory in Rwanda.

Bukedea Comprehensive on the hand will brag on turning the boys’ volleyball tables around, having displaced Namugongo Vocational to 3rd place as they head to Rwanda heads high they can stop Kenya and Rwanda's dominance in this sport.

“We came for the first time and reached the final which we almost won as well because we lost in the decisive game. This gives us a lot to believe in the team and since reaching back home from the final in Kabale, we have been working hard, intensifying our training, and working on our mistakes. We are better now and can believe we can reach far in Rwanda,” Said team coach Boaz Turyahebwa.

Uganda will for the first time in more than a decade, have no girls' record winners Trust High School and Kinawa High School that have represented the country a record number of times after the two finished 4th and 7th respectively and instead Seroma occupies the 3rd and last position in this category.