The eighth edition Uganda Muslim Education Association (UMEA) Solidarity Games was officially launched at Kawanda Secondary School on Tuesday. The UMEA Sports Committee chairman Hajji Twahil Kitezeela reiterated the essence of these games that started way back in 1998. He noted that this year’s games will have a new theme of nature conservation inclined along tree planting.
“The UMEA Solidarity Games are intended to forge unity among Uganda, the Muslim community and schools. They are intended to promote Muslim secondary schools in Uganda, prepare UMEA School teams for national games as well as provide entertainment,” noted Hajji Kitezeela, who was flanked by the director of Kawanda SS, Hajji Muhammed Maseruka, Hajji Hussein Lwembawo Kyagulanyi (General Secretary UMEA Sports Committee), Hajji NdugwaBadru (Member UMEA Sports Committee and Executive Secretary of the Wakiso Secondary Schools Head Teachers’ Association-WAKISSHA), Ayub Khalifa (Member UMEA Sports Committee) and Head teacher of Kawanda SS Hajjati Hadijah Nassali Kiweewa.
This year’s UMEA Games will be held during the Easter holiday on April 9-13 at various play grounds within Kawanda SS and the vicinity. The host school Head teacher Hajjati Kiweewa expressed the readiness as the host school to house all the participants.
“We are more than ready to host the 2020 UMEA Solidarity games. From the accommodation facilities, feeding, security and the facilities, we are ready. We have two grounds inside the school. Also, as a host school, we want to challenge for the main overall trophy,” she said.
Kawanda Secondary School hosts these games for the third time after successfully hosting the games in 2005 and 2011. Hajji Lwembawo, the General Secretary of UMEA Sports Committee, noted that two more sports disciplines woodball and basketball will be added to the menu of games that already has Football, Netball, Volleyball, Handball, Badminton and Table Tennis.
“We expect more teams to register for this year’s championship in the six Disciplines. There is a possibility of adding basketball and woodball. The intention is to spread and tap each and every talent possible. Kawanda SS has ear-marked a number of sports grounds with the main ground within Kawanda Secondary School. The other grounds will be at Research center, Namalele, Mbogo Mixed Secondary School, Kiteezi, Kawempe Muslim SS, Kabaka Kyabaggu Sports Stadium. Non-bonafide students shall not be allowed,” explained Hajji Lwembawo. Last year’s games were hosted by Kasawo Islamic Secondary School with Mbogo Mixed winning the overall championship.
2019 UMEA Games (Top 5 Positions):
1 – Mbogo Mixed (3 Medals – 2 Gold, 1 Bronze)
2 – Kakungulu Memorial (2 Medals – 2 Gold)
3 – Kawempe Muslim (2 Medals – 1 Gold, 1 Silver)
4 – Kawanda S.S (2 Medals – 2 Silvers)
5 – Mbogo College (1 Medal – 1 Gold)
