Written By | Alex Mbamanya
The KASHAKA Girls teams that represented at the national level, pause with their certificates, medals and the trophy
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MBARARA
Kashaka Girls Secondary School received a heroic welcome on their return from the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Ball Games II Championships in Gulu over the weekend after winning the school's first-ever national title.
The celebrations were marked by a colourful parade through the school compound in Kashaka, Mbarara City, as students, teachers and parents welcomed home the victorious contingent.
The school's Ludo team emerged champions in the girls' category during the championship held at Sacred Heart Secondary School, Gulu. The school also fielded teams in volleyball, scrabble and athletics, all of which delivered commendable performances.
The victory marks a historic milestone for Kashaka Girls, becoming the school's first national championship after previously competing in football, netball and volleyball without winning a national title.
Kashaka Girls community gathered to welcome the national trophy won by the Ludo team
Led by eventual Most Valuable Player (MVP) Dias Arikiriza, the Ludo team dominated the 12-team competition, winning eight matches and drawing four to finish the tournament unbeaten and claim the championship.
The school head teacher, Dorah Kiconco Barekye, congratulated the players and their coaches for their outstanding achievement.
"We thank God for enabling these young people to use their talents positively, and we are proud of this team for its outstanding performance. This is our first-ever national title, and we are delighted to bring it home. We have won championships at lower levels before, and this victory will inspire us to aim even higher," Kiconco said.
She encouraged parents to support their children's participation in sports alongside academics, noting that games such as Ludo help develop critical thinking and mental sharpness.
"Sports complement academics. Mind games like Ludo require quick thinking and strategic decision-making, skills that are equally important in education," she added.
Kashaka Girls head teacher Doarh Kiconco Barekye lifts the trophy won by the Ludo team, in admiration'
Kashaka Head teacher Dorah Kicoonco Barekye with MVP Dias Arikiriza on the team return from Gulu
The school's games teacher, Duncan Namanya, attributed the success to the players' determination, discipline and teamwork.
"Winning a national championship is a great achievement, and we do not take it for granted. The girls remained focused, united and employed quick thinking throughout the competition. We also had teams in volleyball, scrabble and athletics, which performed well even though they did not finish in the medal positions. We thank God for enabling us to perform this way," Namanya said.
Kashaka Girls joined several other schools from the USSSA Ankole Zone that won medals at the national championships, including Ntare School, which won gold in dancesport and silver in scrabble; Mbarara High School, which claimed silver in rugby and woodball; Maryhill High School, which secured bronze in scrabble; Bugamba Secondary School, which won bronze in girls' dancesport; and Muntuyera High School Kitunga, which earned bronze in the boys' Under-17 category.
