Maryhill, Elite High shine in Mbarara
Maryhill’s Gift Owomugisha receives her MVP award from Fuba General Secretary Hudson Ssegamwenge (L) and JOVOC Head teacher Fr. Christopher Bafaki Katono (R). PHOTO/COURTESY
What you need to know:
The tournament, hosted by St. Joseph’s Vocational School Mbarara, attracted up to 30 teams from all over the country.
Maryhill High School ensured the JOVOC Open Tournament trophy did not leave Mbarara City by defeating Ndejje SS 16-12 in the final over the weekend.
The tournament, hosted by St. Joseph’s Vocational School Mbarara, attracted up to 30 teams from all over the country.
But in the end, Maryhill, a school located just a stone throw from JOVOC, came out victorious in the girls’ final played under the lights.
Led by eventual MVP Gift Owomugisha, Maryhill defeated Elite High 27-20 in the semifinals before going on to take down Ndejje in the final, sending the partisan crowd into wild celebrations.
Ndejje had defeated Nyakasura 16-11 in the semis.
In the boys’ category, Elite High fielded two teams and they both negotiated their way into the final and in the end, only two points separated the sides, with Elite B winning the low-score game 09-07.
Elite A had defeated Ndejje 36-20 in the semis while Elite B knocked out Bethel Covenant 39-23.
Rev. Fr. Christopher Bafaki Katono, the Head teacher St. Joseph's Vocational School Mbarara, thanked all schools that honored the school’s invitation to participate, and for supporting talent development amongst the children. He further pledged to keep improving the tournament in the next editions.
The tournament was attended by Fuba General Secretary Hudson Ssegamwenge, who represented Nasser Sserunjogi, the president. He thanked JOVOC for organizing such an event that challenges all other stakeholders.
He thanked teams for participating and thanked those who emerged champions, urging them to continue taking part in the annual event that marked its 12th edition.
Alex Byamukama, the chief Organizer, highlighted the challenges faced in ensuring the smooth running of the event.
“We still have challenges of few basketball facilities and equipment and a lack of local officials,” Byamukama told Daily Monitor.
He added: “It's now time for the Federation to come in and support the tournament every year by providing equipment and training local referees as it's so expensive to use referees from Kampala.”
He also called upon Fuba to always include the tournament on the Fuba calendar.
JOVOC Open
Final
Boys
Elite A 07-09 Elite B
Girls
Maryhill 16-12 Ndejje
MVP
Girls: Gift Owomugisha
Boys: Alier Chol
