Uganda sends delegation to ISF World Volleyball Championships in China
The team is composed of 18 players and 15 officials, including coaches, medical staff, chaplains, team managers, and government representatives.
The Uganda Secondary Schools’ Sports Association (USSSA) has flagged off a delegation of 33 players and officials set to represent the country at the ISF World Volleyball Championships, scheduled for December 4–13 in Shangluo, China.
The team is composed of 18 players and 15 officials, including coaches, medical staff, chaplains, team managers, and government representatives. Uganda’s representatives come from the International School of Uganda, Acorns International School, and Mengo Senior Secondary School.
During the flag-off ceremony, Rev. Can. Dr. Duncans Mugumya, Commissioner for Physical Education in the Ministry of Education and Sports, reminded team leaders to prioritize the safety of the athletes, emphasizing their status as minors under Ugandan law. “As you head to these games, remember you’re not only representing yourselves but also 45 million Ugandans. These girls are your number one priority,” Mugumya said. He praised USSSA for its role in discovering and nurturing young talent, noting that Uganda is becoming a strong contender in school sports. “We’re making great strides in school sports, producing new talent every year, and that’s all thanks to USSSA’s efforts,” he added.
USSSA president Justus Mugisha highlighted Uganda’s rising prominence in international school sports. “Uganda is currently ranked number one for ISF participation, and our performance has been exceptional. This is due to our strong grassroots organization,” he said. Mugisha also revealed plans to further integrate international schools into USSSA activities, pointing out their significant contribution to Uganda’s victory in swimming at the FEASSA Games in Kenya. “Without the international schools, we wouldn’t have won the overall trophy; they brought us two gold medals,” he remarked.
Representing the National Council of Sports (NCS), Milton Chebet, Assistant General Secretary for Technical matters, encouraged the athletes to uphold Uganda’s sporting reputation. “We’ve had a successful year in sports, and your task is to keep the momentum going,” he stated.
Sammy Odong, Assistant Commissioner for Physical Education and Sports, and Douglas Kabwegyere, USSSA Executive Committee member, will serve as Leader and Assistant Leader of the Delegation. Abulo Mariam and Van Heckela were named captain and assistant captain of Team Uganda.
The 10-day championship will feature 18 teams divided into four groups. Mengo SS, representing Uganda 1, is placed in Group C alongside volleyball powerhouses Brazil, India 1, Nigeria, and Taiwan. Uganda 2, comprising athletes from international schools, will compete in Group D against Bulgaria, Chile, Iran, and India 2.