‎USSSA sets February 26 kick-off for 7th Elite Games

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‎The Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) has confirmed that the 7th edition of the Elite Games will run from February 26 to March 1, 2026, following a final preparatory meeting held at its head offices in Old Kampala.
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The championship will begin with the arrival of teams at Janan Secondary School Bombo on February 26 and conclude on March 1 with the awarding ceremony and departure of participants.
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‎The preparatory meeting, held last week was chaired by USSSA Chief Executive Officer Christopher Mugisha. He was joined by Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi, who represented USSSA President Justus Mugisha, Competitions Director Emma Kasakya, and Branding and Communications Director Omario Bosco.
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Seven disciplines confirmed
‎Organisers confirmed that this year’s edition will feature seven sports disciplines: football, basketball 5×5, basketball 3×3, rugby 7s, volleyball, netball and handball.
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The Elite Games are designed as a preparatory platform for schools ahead of the national championships, offering teams an opportunity to test combinations and assess player readiness in a competitive environment.
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Registration and eligibility guidelines
‎During the meeting, officials emphasised that all participating teams must use athletes who are fully registered on the USSSA online registration system, with no exceptions permitted.
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Unlike other USSSA championships, schools will be allowed to travel with a larger number of athletes and make unlimited substitutions. According to Mugisha, the flexibility is intended to give teams room to evaluate players comprehensively ahead of the major national competitions.
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The tournament will strictly be an under-20 competition, meaning only athletes aged between 16 and 20 years will be eligible, in line with USSSA competition regulations.
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Age category clarification
‎Concerns were raised during the meeting about limiting the competition to a single age category. William Ssentumbwe, games teacher at St. Noa Secondary School, questioned why the tournament was not opened to all age brackets to enable broader team preparation.
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In response, Mugisha explained that championships cannot be open-ended under USSSA’s established competition rules. He noted that the defined age categories are meant to ensure structured athlete development, fairness, and proper organisation within the secondary school sports framework.
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‎On team welfare, Mugisha assured schools that they will not be required to carry mattresses, plates, or cups to the host venue. However, teams are free to bring other personal belongings they consider necessary.