YUMBE DISTRICT TO HOST 2025 NATIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOL SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIPS

By Dramadri Federick
Arua City

Yumbe District has been officially selected to host the 2025 Uganda National Interschool Ball Games Championship for primary schools.
The Uganda Primary Schools Sports Association (UPSSA) announced the hosting details after comprehensive assessments and consultations with relevant stakeholders.

Hamza Yunus Godi, the Vice Chairperson of UPSSA West Nile Region, confirmed that Yumbe District demonstrated strong preparedness during the evaluation process. "A prior assessment by Ministry officials showed that Yumbe District is fully equipped with the necessary facilities and infrastructure to host the championship. The district has adequate accommodation options and suitable playing fields for various sports," he explained.

His statement underscores the district’s readiness to deliver a memorable and seamless event, which is expected to boost local morale and promote regional unity.
“This year’s national ball games will be hosted in the West Nile Region, with Yumbe District taking the lead,” Hamza added.

The choice of Yumbe as the host district was motivated by several factors, including the availability of sports facilities, the enthusiasm of local officials, and the district’s strategic location. Moreover, hosting the championships in Yumbe is seen as an opportunity to showcase the region’s development progress and to foster greater participation in sports among young learners.

This prestigious event, organized annually by the Uganda Primary Schools Sports Association (UPSSA), is set to bring together thousands of young athletes from across the country to showcase their talents and promote sportsmanship and teamwork among learners.

Swaib Andega, the Yumbe District Sports Officer, offered insights saying preparations are underway for the event highlighting that the district had already identified approximately 22 football fields across different parts of Yumbe with majority of them within Yumbe town council to serve as venues for the various sporting activities, with the pitches already being upgraded and maintained to meet national standards for adequate competition by all teams.

According to him, the district’s is also working on accommodation arrangements, “multiple institutions within Yumbe have been reserved to host the athletes and officials. We anticipate hosting no fewer than 6,000 people, including students, coaches, officials, and spectators,” he explained. “Our teams are working to ensure that all preparations are in the final stages, and we are committed to delivering the best hosting experience compared to other regions in Uganda,” he added with pride.

The championship is scheduled to commence on August 24th, with the arrival of participating schools from various districts, and will feature a series of competitive sporting activities running from August 25th to September 8th. The decision to host the event in Yumbe has generated significant excitement among local officials, educators, and the community, who are working tirelessly to ensure the success of this national endeavor.

The selection of Yumbe as the hosting district followed a disappointment by Arua City, which was initially considered a potential host. However, Arua City failed to meet the required standards of playgrounds and sports facilities, leading to its exclusion. This setback was a disappointment for local officials and supporters, but it also provided an opportunity for Yumbe to step in and demonstrate its readiness to host the national event.

Ronald Candia, the Arua City Sports Officer, expressed pride in the region’s ability to host the event, despite the change in plans. “Hosting the games in Yumbe is a great achievement for our entire region,” Candia said. He highlighted the efforts made by local governments and stakeholders to prepare for the championship. “We have been working hard to ensure that everything is in place, and we look forward to supporting Yumbe in making the event a success,” Candia stated.

The Uganda Ministry of Education and Sports has played a key role in promoting sports at the primary school level. The ministry has approved 51 different sporting disciplines to diversify and enrich school sports programs across the country. It has also mandated that participating schools implement at least 15 of these disciplines as part of their extracurricular activities.

The goal is to nurture the athletic talents of learners at an early age, foster healthy lifestyles, and promote peaceful competition among young students.

The upcoming National Interschool Ball Games Championships in Yumbe is expected to serve as a catalyst for increased youth participation in sports, and will provide a platform for talented learners to be spotted and nurtured for future national and international competitions.

With the dedication of local officials, the enthusiasm of teachers and students, and the support of the community, Yumbe is poised to deliver a memorable and successful event that will resonate across the region and beyond.