Jipra finally knock Jinja SSS off its perch
There is every reason for Jipra to celebrate loudly. PHOTO/COURTESY
What you need to know:
In years past, both Jinja giants benefited from a favorable structure that kept them apart in district and regional competitions until the finals, courtesy of their high rankings. But those privileges are now a thing of the past.
There comes a time when dominance and regimes crumble. That time has come for Jinja Senior Secondary School (Jinja SSS), who will not feature in this year’s Uganda Senior Secondary Schools Association (USSSA) national football tournament after failing to qualify sportingly.
Although they also missed out last year, the national body handed them a wild card.
This time, however, the once-mighty football powerhouse, who became the first upcountry school to win the coveted schools title in 2017, was knocked out of contention at the Busoga Regional quarterfinals after falling to their cross-town rivals, Jinja Progressive Academy (Jipra). By virtue of their regional strength, Busoga has four slots and, therefore, all the semifinalists qualify.
In years past, both Jinja giants benefited from a favorable structure that kept them apart in district and regional competitions until the finals, courtesy of their high rankings. But those privileges are now a thing of the past.
Jipra not only beat Jinja SSS 2-0 in the quarterfinals courtesy of goals from Simon Ochidi and Lawrence Golola but also achieved a rare double by defeating them in both the girls’ and boys’ Jinja District finals.
However, Jipra couldn’t complete the clean sweep at the regional level after falling to their sister school Lakeside Masese in the final.
“We’re the national elite champions and want to build on that to give another shot at the nationals this year,” said Hajj Swaib Kitezzala, Jipra’s director, who also owns Lakeside Masese. Jipra defended their Elite Schools title that acts as a preseason build up for the schools’ sports calendar.
“We’ve made some investments which, together with support from our partner Bul, are already showing promising signs,” he added.
Jipra enjoys a partnership with top-tier side Bul FC, with their boys’ team doubling as the club’s academy and junior team. Meanwhile, their girls feature for Jinja City Queens, the women’s side affiliated to Bul.
Qualified schools
Kampala - Uganda Martyrs HS - Lubaga, Kawempe Muslim SS, Kibuli SS, Lubiri SS
West Nile - Mvara SS, Comboni Comprehensive SS, Moyo Star HS
Acholi - Bishop Angelo Negri, Lagwai Seed SS, Kitgum Comprehensive Main Campus
Lango - Mentor SS, Wisdom HS Akalo, Lira Town College
Karamoja - Arengesiep SS
Teso - Amus College HS, Ngora HS, Bukedea Comprehensive School – South, Labira Girls SS, Teso Progressive Academy
Bukedi - Busia SS, Luma Eastern College, Manjasi HS
Busoga - Lakeside SS, Jinja Comprehensive SS, Jinja Progressive Academy, Mt. Zion HS
Bunyoro - Masindi SS, Kabalega SS, Panyadoli Selfhelp SS
Rwenzori - Fortportal SS, Garama SS, St Leo College Kyagobe
Ankole - St Kagwa Bushenyi HS, Ibanda SS, Nyamitanga SS, Kicwamba HS
Kigezi - St Mary’s College Rushorooza, St Gerald’s SS, Bishop Comboni College Kambuga
Wakiso - St Mary’s SS Kitende, Buddo SS, Standard HS Zana, Greenlight Islamic SS, Kyadondo SS
Masaka - Masaka SS, Notre Dame HS Nyendo, Wagwa HS Lukaya
Mpigi - Kisozi Seed SS, Highway SS Kiganda, Mumsa SS
Luwero - Standard HS Zana – Ndejje Campus, Ndejje SSS, Ssaku SSS
Mukono - Quality HS, St Julian HS Seeta, Namagabi SS, Mehta SS
Bugisu - Bugisu HS, Nabumali HS, Devine College Buyaga
