Secondary Schools in the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) zone of Ankole will have their battlefield for this year’s edition of the USSSA Ankole zone titles in Ibanda.

St John Fisher Ibanda SS will be the battleground for both girls' and boys’ football championships starting with girls' soccer on Wednesday, April 3 to 7 before the boys come in on April 10-14.

USSSA Ankole zone games teachers during the competition draws at St John Fisher Ibanda. PHOTOS: Aloysius Byamukama

The five-day apiece will see successful secondary school teams from the 12 districts and one City of Mbarara, represent their areas after having played to the best positions in the respective districts.

The draws of the competition were made over the weekend where teams taking part were drawn in 16 groups of 4 teams each, which will see successful teams in each group battle for the round of 32 and 16 before the quarter-finals, semifinals, and finals.

“We have devised a different format this time because we want to have many teams take part as part of talent development, play fewer games a day and over the stipulated time as commanded by USSSA, and also have a flowing championship than before,” said USSSA Ankole zone chairman Egidio Mucunguzi.

On arrival in Ibanda on Wednesday, the teams will go under mandatory screening before going for the first group matches later in the evening.

“We are warning teams to avoid bringing along ineligible players because these games have rules and regulations against such and if any school is found guilty, the rules will apply,” Mucunguzi said.

By the USSSA rules, no student player is allowed to feature in the games when they have repeated a class, are above 19 years, don’t go to school at all, or have not been registered on the USSSA online registration process.

According to the day one fixture, hosting Kibubura girls will take on Kyabugimbi SS in the official opening game before other matches take place at different venues.

Sheema girls are the defending champions having beaten Boni Consilii 1-0 in last year’s finale, and will still face stiff opposition in their bid to retain the accolade.