Call to include Lacrosse in USSSA Teso Zone Championships gains momentum

Organisers of the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Teso zone have been urged to incorporate lacrosse as one of the competitive disciplines at the zonal championships.

This call follows the sport’s official inclusion in the 2026 USSSA National Championships and the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games.

Silas Oluka, Games Master at Teso College Aloet in Soroti City, emphasized the importance of expanding the sports portfolio to include lacrosse. He believes this move will enhance talent identification and development across the region.

“I congratulate USSSA for the decision to incorporate lacrosse at both national and international levels. This will give students a platform to showcase their abilities alongside established sports like football, netball, basketball, volleyball, and athletics,” Oluka said.

Harriet Apolot, USSSA’s third Vice President, echoed Oluka’s sentiments in an interview with Vision Sports, describing lacrosse as a promising discipline where student talent is already emerging.

According to Apolot, lacrosse made its debut as a demonstration sport during the National Ball Games II and athletics competitions held in Tororo. It was also featured in the 22nd edition of the FEASSA Games in Kakamega, Kenya. She confirmed that starting in 2026, lacrosse will be officially included in the secondary schools’ sports championship calendar.

Nyakaana Douglas, General Secretary of the Uganda Lacrosse Association, highlighted the sport’s rapid growth in Uganda.

“What began with just four girls’ schools participating in Kabale has now expanded to 14 schools nationwide,” he noted.

Nyakaana praised Uganda’s performance at the FEASSA Games in Kakamega, where the country’s representatives excelled. He emphasized the broader mission of promoting lacrosse across East Africa.

“We’ve worked tirelessly to introduce lacrosse in schools across Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania. As Africa’s leading lacrosse-playing nation, Uganda is committed to nurturing and championing the sport’s growth. FEASSA provides a vital platform to popularize lacrosse regionally and prepare teams for international competition,” he said.

At the recently concluded FEASSA Games in Kakamega, Uganda’s Empower International Academy clinched gold in the boys’ category, followed by Bombo Army Secondary School (silver) and Kenya’s Musingu Boys (bronze). In the girls’ category, Bombo Army Secondary School (Uganda) took gold, while Kenya’s St. Charles Khalaba and St. Joseph’s Girls Kitale earned silver and bronze respectively.