Kitende makes strong start

By Norman Katende in Lira

East Africa School Games

Football results

St. Mary’s Kitende (UGA) 3 Kathugi (KEN) 0

Netball friendly

MPS 38 Oyam 15

A brace from St. Mary’s Kitende Yunus Ssentamu and another effort from Hassan Kalega saw the Ugandan champions start their East Africa Schools title defence on a high at Lira College grounds.

The match was the only one played on the opening day, before action in the different disciplines that include basketball, volleyball, women and men soccer, netball, volleyball, hockey, tennis, table tennis, rugby and badminton started on Monday at the different venues in Lira.

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Justus Mugisha, chairman of East Africa Schools Sports Association and education and sports minister Jessica Alupo chat while following proceedings on day one. Photo by Norman Katende

The man of the match was none other than Kathugi’s goalkeeper Benjamin Kalonzo who pulled off a number of spectacular saves from Kitende’s forwards.

Ssentamu managed to beat the offside trap, running around Kathugi’s defence as he collected the ball with the left his left foot before blasting it past the Kalonzo with his right foot.

Ssentamu completed his brace before halftime with a neat finish in a win that sent the defending champions top of Group A with other clubs ESIL of Rwanda and Grinti SS of South Sudan due to play on Monday.

Pupils exhibit what they have learnt from Chinese volunteers during the opening ceremony. Photo by Norman Katende

Kabakumba Masiko playing netball for the MPs team in a friendly against Oyam. Photo by Norman Katende

In a friendly game in netball, the MP’s team beat a select side from Oyam 38-15.

Before that, there was an opening ceremony president over by education and sports minister Jessica Alupo, who represented President Yoweri Museveni.

In a message which she read, the President appealed to the nation to use sports for integration and unity and also keep the masses fit.