Sixth Taibah Independence Sports Tournament kicks off September 19

The sixth Taibah Annual Independence Sports Tournament will continue to nurture budding sportsmen for the country, following past successes from previous editions.

Ten students who honed their skills through the event have since advanced their careers with the national team, clubs, and colleges.

Paul Kiir Nang, Emmanuel Oyom, Paul Linda Aguek, and Margaret Adekjang, who featured for Elite High School in the tournament, have since continued their basketball careers with the Mountain Stars, Utah State in the US, Uganda Martyrs University, and the Nkumba Lady Marines, respectively.

Christine Apuk, Steph Saidi, Joshua Bwakanda, and Chris Matchulia, who featured for Vikas International School, went on to play for the national U-16 and U-18 basketball teams, as well as for Sommet and the Makindye Shooters Basketball Clubs.

Taibah International School's Principal, Oskar Ssemweya-Musoke addresses the press during the launch of the 6th edition Taibah Independence Sports Tournament. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Taibah International School’s Imran Mwanje and David Mpyangu continue to train with the Proline Academy and with the KCCA Junior Team.

Taibah International School also boasts of schooling the country's best junior archer, Shiloh Kamukama Ayebare, who last November delivered a commendable performance at the 14th African Archery Championships in Abidjan, finishing ninth in the Individual Recurve U-18 men’s division.

This year’s event, starting September 19 and running to October 4, will feature about 1500 students from eight schools, including new entrants Pine International School and the North Green School, and will include football (U-15 and U-20) and girls’ football.

Students will also play netball, as well as the newly introduced sports of volleyball and athletics (100m, 100x4 and the 400x4 relays). Other schools expected to participate include Crane High School, Elite High School, Kisubi High School, Light Academy SSS, Trinity Senior Academy and Vikas International School.

Addressing the press during the event’s launch at Taibah International School on Tuesday, the school’s Principal, Oskar Ssemweya-Musoke, who was flanked by the student leaders of the school: Melissa Ineeza, Wilma Andly Asiimwe, Wilma Charles, Hannah Siduda, Musha Escriva and Rayyan Bwanika, said the tournament will be held across three weekends into October and closer to Independence Day. He said there will also be a primary schools category involving those who will field teams.

“It is lovely to see students competing; it is lovely when students win. At the same time, they do accept a loss, especially when they have put in a good time. So, we look forward to the competitions, we look forward to development, and we hope that our students will shine, and we also hope that those who compete at this level will continue on the national scale and at club levels,” Ssemweya stated.

L-R: Taibah International School's student leaders: Wilma Charles, Melissa Ineeza, Wilma Andly Asiimwe, Rayyan Bwanika, Musha Escriva and Hannah Siduda display some of the items to be used during the launch of the 6th edition Taibah Independence Sports Tournament. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Simwe, the Senate President of the Cambridge side, said they had prepared tirelessly for the event. “We have put in all the effort that we can. The school brings coaches, provides the equipment that we need, and the students tirelessly put in the effort that is needed to attain success,” she said.

“Hosting schools around our region helps us learn more from other schools; getting to know other people helps us as students. We learn more things, we learn more skills, even against those who beat us. And then for students, because not everyone is as privileged as here, so this helps the community and everyone surrounding us to also learn from us,” Simwe stated.

Bwanika said their coaches have prepared them well.

“They have given us all the training and all the mental support that we need to ensure that not only one, but both of our teams get to the final.”

Elite High School are the defending champion in basketball, Trinity Senior Academy (volleyball), and Taibah International School (netball), while Vikas, Kisubi High, and the Agrolinks Academy have the football titles.

Taibah, Absa Bank, DFCU, Doctors Hospital, SWT, Craydel, and Tableside Tales are the sponsors of the three-week tournament.