FEASSSA Games 2024 Concludes Successfully: A Model for Global School Sports

Aug. 26, Bukedea, Uganda – The 21^st edition of FEASSSA Games, the annual multi-sport event of the Federation of East African Secondary Schools Sports Associations, have concluded successfully in Bukedea, Uganda. This year's event saw participation from 3,013 school athletes representing 177 schools across 5 East African countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and the host nation Uganda.

The games were organized by the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA), featured 14 sports, including Athletics, Badminton, Basketball 3×3, Basketball 5×5, Football, Handball, Hockey, Lawn Tennis, Netball, Rugby 7s, Rugby 15s, Swimming, Table Tennis, and Volleyball.

The event spanned ten days and included a special cultural exchange day, highlighting the rich diversity of the region.

Uganda emerged victorious in 13 sports, while Kenya claimed championships in 11 sports, showcasing the region's vibrant and competitive school sports environment. This marked the fourth consecutive FEASSSA Games championship for Uganda, further solidifying its dominance in East African school sports.

The closing ceremony was graced by several dignitaries, including Peter Ogwang, Uganda’s State Minister of Education and Sport, Rev. Canon Duncans Mugumya, Commissioner in the Ministry of Education and Sports in Uganda, Laurent Petrynka, President of International School Sport Federation (ISF), and Justus Mugisha, President of FEASSSA and USSSA. In his address, Mr. Petrynka praised the organization of the event, highlighting Uganda's commitment to education and sports.

For the first time, a part of the FEASSSA Games were live-streamed on ISF TV, marking a significant collaboration milestone since the ISF headquarters relocated to Lausanne.

This initiative is part of ISF’s broader strategy to provide support to member associations and industry partners in competition organization, media operations, and other areas, promoting the prosperity of school sports globally.

The closing ceremony was graced by several dignitaries, including Peter Ogwang, Minister of Education and Sport of Uganda, Rev. Canon Duncans Mugumya, Commissioner in the Ministry of Education and Sports of Uganda, Laurent Petrynka, President of International School Sport Federation (ISF), and Justus Mugisha, President of FEASSSA and USSSA. In his address, Mr. Petrynka praised the organization of the event, highlighting Uganda's commitment to education and sports.

Mr. Petrynka said, “The games were organized in the best conditions of security, sport, hospitality, and spirit. it is in line with the ISF spirit, which means competing on the field while respecting the values of education and sport.”

He also emphasized the importance of high-level support, saying, “In Uganda, you have discovered the secret of school sport—support from the highest authorities, including the President, the First Lady, and the Minister of Education, as well as a strong national school sports federation. This commitment doesn’t exist everywhere, and it is the secret to the development of school sports.”

After several days of visiting, Mr. Petrynka observed many organizational experiences and event highlights at the FEASSSA Games that could serve as valuable examples for other countries and regions worldwide.

He believes that, in addition to ISF’s global school sports events, influential regional school sports competitions like the FEASSSA Games can provide more opportunities for school athletes to compete, communicate, and develop. They can also more broadly showcase the importance of school sports and the values of ISF to school athletes, coaches, PE teachers, sports professionals, and educators.

Laurent Petrynka meets Uganda Politicians

During his visit, Mr. Petrynka took the opportunity to meet Peter Ogwang, Minister of Education and Sport and then Dr. Rukare Donald, President of the Ugandan National Olympic Committee. Mr. Petrynka congratulated them both on the organization and the results achieved by the Ugandan athletes, in the presence of the main responsible Justus Mugisha, President of USSSA and FEASSA.

They have discussed plans for the African School Games and agreed on the importance of enhancing collaboration between national federations and schools.

Peter Ogwang reaffirmed his government's commitment to investing in better sports facilities, aiming to improve training opportunities, discover new talent, and support the overall development of sports in Uganda.