A total of 36 young players under 14 (U14) have been selected to represent Oyam district in the upcoming national ball games competitions for 2026.

The Oyam District Primary Schools Sports Association (UPSSA) officially named the team that will fly the district’s flag at the national championship, scheduled to take place in Mubende district from August 24 to September 4, 2026.

The announcement was made on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, during the closing ceremony of the selection tournament held at Oyam Boma Grounds.

Long Jasper Sure, the Oyam district UPSSA chairperson who also serves as the headteacher of Okule Primary School, expressed his appreciation to all the participants who showcased their talents.

He congratulated those who made the final cut, noting they will now proceed to represent the district in the Under-14 ball games category.

Long further assured the public that the district is committed to ensuring all selected players travel and compete effectively. He detailed the team breakdown: “We have 18 boys for football, nine girls for netball, and finally nine for volleyball,” he explained.

This brings the total to 36 talented learners who will carry the hopes of Oyam district across various sporting disciplines.

Janet Acot, the Oyam district senior inspector of schools, commended the district’s head teachers for their unwavering support of sporting activities.

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She highlighted a significant milestone, noting that during the second term alone, Oyam district participated in three different sporting disciplines—ball games, Music, Dance and Drama (MDD), and scouting.

“We have managed to reach the national level in all of them. This is a great achievement, considering that in the past, Oyam did not make it to national competitions,” she stated.

Addressing stakeholders during the event, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Oyam, Alex Felix Majembe, who received the players alongside other district officials, thanked the sports teams for elevating the district’s profile.

He described the selection as a key step in nurturing the talents of young children.

Majembe also urged teachers to educate learners about Uganda’s sporting history. He cited inspirational figures such as Allan Okello, who hails from Bar in Lira district, and John Akii-Bua from Abako in Alebtong district, among others.

“This will help learners value sports while still in school,” he said. “A school can be known not only for academic performance but also for sports. We must continue encouraging our young generation to nurture their talents.”

David Adea, the Oyam district education officer, expressed his happiness with the sub-counties that ensured their schools participated in the district championship program.

He affirmed that the education department would continue supporting schools to promote sporting activities in all corners of the district. “Through sports, our learners develop leadership skills, learn teamwork, and achieve physical fitness,” Adea noted.

Cesar Apali, the Oyam district vice chairperson, praised the education department for taking pupils to the national competition. However, he issued a word of caution, urging those responsible for the selections to ensure the chosen players are truly the right representatives of the district.

He also encouraged those who were not selected to keep polishing their talents for future opportunities. Additionally, he appealed to teachers to always allow learners to speak English while at school, so that language does not become a barrier when they travel.

The closing ceremony’s chief guest, Tenywa Ayub, the Assistant RDC of Oyam district, who received the participants and handed them over to the sporting teams, thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for maintaining peace and unity in the country.

He assured the public that the security forces are working closely with local communities to ensure safety both during the day and at night.

Tenywa also appealed to headteachers to be ambassadors of integrity, urging them to avoid any form of embarrassment. “We need to do the right thing at the right time. Let us be transparent and humble as we execute our duties,” he said.

Ayub further called on parents to take care of their children as they resume their second-term holidays, warning about negative peer groups and other harmful elements.

Tenywa encouraged sports teachers to continue promoting talented learners to help them expose their skills. He observed that many people have advanced through sports, which is now a viable source of revenue.

However, he reminded the learners not to neglect their books, stressing, “Remember, reading is one of the key reasons you were sent to school.”