Girls of Daystar secondary school warming up for a game
 
By Swali Sabiri
 
Arua 

Since being rebranded as Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA), the tournament from the previous Coca-Cola schools championship, this year’s tournament in Koboko Municipality has seen a number of schools presenting footballers in the ladies category.
 
This year the tournament has attracted 17 schools up from 9 last year.
 
Rudisha Musa, a parent at Daystar Secondary school in Koboko says the girl child should equally be supported if she has a talent, “I think we should take both the girls and boys equally by giving them what they want to progress in sports, I buy a pair of playing boots for my daughter every time the school opens for first term and that’s what makes her very happy”.
 
According to Mr.Apangu Swaib the Public Relations Officer USSSA-Koboko, more parents will continue to see the benefits of supporting the girls if they fully appreciate it, “you see the truth is that successful sports girls tend to give back to the their parents, where there is money they build houses for them, pay the siblings at school, at last the burden on the parents is reduced”.
 

Girls of Kochi Secondary school pose for a group photo
 
Fadia Khadija, the team captain Nyarilo ss expressed her gratitude, “I thank Allah for the gift of my parents who love sports, and they buy for me sports attires termly, this also encourages me, how I wish all parents in the world are like my own”.
 
The tournament that started on Monday March 25, 2024 brought together a total of 36 schools including 19 for boys’ football.
 
Four Venues are currently under use for the group stages including St. Charles Lwanga College, Nyangilia ss, Nyarilo and Teremunga Primary school play grounds.  
 
It has been the tradition that football and Netball go co-currently in the schools but this year, Netball has been categorized under ball game 2 thus will be played in the 2^nd term as well as athletics.
 
The tournament will climax on the April 1, 2024
Six schools including three each from both the boys and girls teams will represent Koboko in the regional championship slated to start from April 9, in Koboko Municipality.