NORTHERN UGANDA CRICKET MINI FESTIVAL ENDS IN GULU, CHAMPIONS SET FOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Under-13 cricket team of Ojwina primary school from Lira city in a group photo after emerging champion

By Odong Stephen

Gulu City

The Northern Uganda Cricket Mini Festival concluded successfully on Saturday, 28 June 2026, at Vanguard Primary School in Laroo-Pece Division, Gulu City, bringing together young cricket players from schools in Gulu City, Lira City, and Arua City.

The tournament was organized to provide young players with an opportunity to showcase the cricket skills they have acquired through school-based training while promoting the growth of the sport across Northern Uganda.

The competition featured four categories: Under-13 Boys, Under-13 Girls, Under-11 Boys, and Under-11 Girls, with winners in each category receiving trophies and earning the right to represent Northern Uganda at the upcoming national championships.

Lira city sport officer handing over trophy to the team captain of under-11 boy Gulu Batish primary school from Gulu

Acting Head Coach for the Northern Cricket Hubs and Cricket Development Officer for West Nile, Geoffery Ivan Kagoda, said the festival was a great success and demonstrated the steady growth of cricket in the region.

“Our aim was to give young players a platform to demonstrate the skills they have learned in school. It was an exciting day of cricket, and we are happy to see schools competing at such a high level,” Kagoda said.

Champions Crowned

The tournament produced the following champions:

• Under-11 Boys: Gulu Baptist Primary School
• Under-11 Girls: Gulu Public Primary School
• Under-13 Boys: Ojwina Primary School (Lira City)
• Under-13 Girls: Olii Parent Primary School (Arua City

Olii parents primary school from Arua city was playing Vanguard primary school from Gulu city

Schools Celebrate Success

Jana Loum, the Games Teacher at Gulu Public Primary School, said the school competed in two categories. While the Under-13 boys finished runners-up after losing to Ojwina Primary School in the final, the Under-11 girls successfully defended their title for the third consecutive year.

“They have been winning this tournament for the last three years because they are confident, skilled, and have been well developed in cricket,” Loum said.

At Ojwina Primary School, celebrations followed the Under-13 boys’ historic victory. Games Teacher Agness Mungu Ogwang said it was the school’s second appearance at the tournament after narrowly missing out on the trophy last year.

“Last year we participated but did not win the trophy. This is the first time our Under-13 boys have become champions. We are very grateful and happy. We give glory to God, and we will continue encouraging our pupils to maintain this spirit,” she said.

Cricket team for Oli parent primary school under-13 celebrating their win

Olii Parent Primary School from Arua City also celebrated after its Under-13 girls lifted the championship trophy.

Games Teacher Abdul Jalali Baiti said competitions like the Northern Uganda Cricket Mini Festival play an important role in identifying and nurturing young talent while encouraging greater parental involvement.

“We encourage parents to continue supporting their children in sports because these competitions help expose their talents and create opportunities for the future,” Baiti said.

Call for Greater Investment in Cricket

The Lira City Sports Officer, Fred Ogole Daniel, called upon communities, schools, parents, and leaders to invest more in cricket, describing the sport as an emerging opportunity for young people in Northern Uganda.

Speaking during the tournament, Ogole noted that opportunities in traditional sports such as football, netball, and athletics have become increasingly competitive, making cricket an important alternative pathway for talented boys and girls.

“Cricket is an interesting team sport that develops important skills. Uganda has 53 recognized sporting disciplines, and we should support all of them, especially those reaching grassroots communities, so that our children can participate and excel,” he said.

Challenges Facing Cricket Development

Despite the sport’s growing popularity, teachers acknowledged that cricket still faces several challenges.

Jana Loum said public schools have embraced cricket more quickly than private schools, but awareness of the sport remains limited among many parents and school administrators.

“Many schools are still not participating in cricket. Most government primary schools have joined the competition, and this year we managed to have one private primary school participate. More awareness is needed,” he said.

The Games Teacher of Emmanuel Primary School Laroo Ronald Obwa said the school’s director has shown strong commitment in promoting and developing cricket in the region, but obtaining equipment remains a significant obstacle.

“To acquire most of the cricket equipment, we have to work through Cricket Uganda, although they have been very willing to support us,” Obwa explained.

Free Cricket Training Available

Brian Owacgiu, a cricket coach working with the Cricket Association under the national federation as Northern cricket development coach, encouraged schools and communities interested in the sport to contact federation coaches for free training.

He said the initiative is intended to expand cricket across Northern Uganda by introducing more children and schools to the game.

The Northern Uganda Cricket Mini Festival continues to serve as an important platform for discovering young talent, strengthening school competitions, and preparing the region’s best players for national championships. Stakeholders have been urged to continue supporting cricket development to ensure more children benefit from the opportunities the sport offers.