Other Sport
Ugandans raid Dar for University Games
Suudi Ulanga and his UCU teammates will contest for the men’s basketball crown in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO BY E. Ismail Kezaala.
In Summary
Over 4000 students from 50 universities in the region will compete in different sports.
KAMPALA
Fifteen Ugandan universities have confirmed participation in the East Africa University Games due February 8-12 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Record champions Makerere, Kampala University, Nkumba, Bugema, Kyambogo, Gulu, Bishop Stuart, Uganda Martyrs, St. Lawrence and Kampala International University (KIU) are some of the institutions that will carry Uganda’s flag at the biennial showpiece.
Other Ugandan sides heading for the games include overall defending champions Ndejje University, Kampala University, Busitema, Uganda Christian University (UCU), Makerere University Business School, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU).
They will contend for honours with teams from Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania. University of Dar es Salaam are staging the event. “Most teams are set to leave tomorrow (today) and the last contingent will leave on Wednesday,” National University Sports Federation of Uganda (NUSFU) general secretary Parick Ssebuliba said yesterday.
Most universities have, however, had to trim down their teams due to limited funds. “Kumi, Kabale and the International University of East Africa are the only Ugandan institutions that will not take part,” Ssebuliba added.
Over 4,000 students from 50 universities in the region will compete in different sports disciplines including netball, football, volleyball, swimming, athletics, chess, basketball, rugby, handball, badminton, hockey, taekwondo and karate.
Ndejje beat 45 other universities to win the seventh edition held at Kenyatta University in Nairobi in 2010. The eighth edition was meant to take place in December last year but the hosts Dar es Salaam University requested for a postponement.
Ndejje University sports tutor Paul Kayongo is, meanwhile, confident they will retain the overall title. “Our athletes have gained regional and international exposure. This is another great chance for them to shine,” Kayongo said. “I am very excited about the competition.”
Former Champions
2010 Ndejje
2007 Makerere
2006 Makerere
2004 Makerere
2002 Makerere
2001 Makerere
1999 Ergerton
odongoj@ug.nationmedia.com
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