As the 2025 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) National Ball Games II kick off in Tororo, the Acholi Zone enters the championship not just as a title contender but as a beacon of youth empowerment, resilience, and regional pride.
With their sights set on a third consecutive national athletics title, Acholi’s 51-member team (28 boys and 23 girls) is determined to make more than just headlines.
From their training camp at Gulu High School, the team has become a symbol of hope and transformation in northern Uganda.
“Every lap, every throw, every finish line crossed is a symbol of resilience,” said Okot P’Bitek, Chairperson of USSSA-Acholi Zone. “We are building more than athletes, we are building leaders.”
Representing schools from Kitgum, Lamwo, Pader, Agago, and Gulu, the athletes reflect both urban and rural communities, united by a mission to use sport as a tool for growth and unity.
Among them is Adokorach Sharon from YY Okot Memorial in Kitgum, a rising star with a triple-gold ambition in the 1500m, 3000m, and 5000m.
“Running makes me feel powerful,” Sharon said. “I want to show other girls from Kitgum and beyond that they too can shine.”
Coach Oyat Gilbert, who has led the team from humble beginnings to national acclaim, believes the Acholi sports program is a model of community-based transformation.
“Athletics is not just a competition, it’s a tool for social change,” he noted. “We’ve seen students grow into confident, disciplined youth ready to inspire others.”
Schools like Paloga Seed, Restore Leadership, and Padibe Girls have also contributed to the team’s diversity, ensuring equal opportunity and inclusion across the Acholi sub-region.
The Acholi contingent arrived in Tororo early ahead of the USSSA Ball Games II Draws, scheduled for Thursday, July 10 at 2:00 pm, marking the formal start of the games hosted by St. Peter’s College Tororo and Tororo Girls School from July 11 to 19.
USSSA General Secretary Justus Mugisha said the draw will shape the week’s fixtures and highlight the readiness of the host district.
“The draws mark the official kick-off of the championship week. We’re confident in the preparations made by both the host school and district leadership,” Mugisha remarked.
More than 3,000 student-athletes from 18 USSSA zones are expected to compete across disciplines including girls’ football, netball, volleyball, basketball 3×3, handball, and athletics. The championship also serves as a platform for talent identification for national and international competitions.
Coach John Ogwang, leading Acholi’s athletics team in Tororo, is optimistic about their title defense. “We’ve trained hard. The draw will guide our strategy, but our focus remains on giving our best and defending our crown,” Ogwang said
Tororo district officials and the host schools have assured participants and fans of top-tier security, hospitality, and a conducive environment throughout the week-long tournament.
The draws will be live-streamed on USSSA’s digital platforms and broadcast by selected TV and radio stations to enable fans nationwide to follow the action.
But for the Acholi Zone, the real victory may already be in motion not in medals alone, but in the transformation of youth into leaders, role models, and ambassadors of their region.
“We’re not just running for medals,” said Okot. “We’re running for our people, our future, and our story.”
Discover more from tndNews, Uganda
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.