By Juma Ali
Ngando Secondary School proved to be still exceptional in the UMEA Solidarity Games when it comes to Netball discipline.
The Ngando Wamala Butambala based Islamic secondary School owned by famous radio presenter, Hajji Najib Kivumbi retained the trophy for the third time in row as they previously won it in 2018 and 2019 at Nkoma ss Mbale and Kasawo Islamic ss Mukono respectively, to reach this other victory, they beat the host, Kawanda ss team B, in the final held on Monday afternoon.
The Eppa Richard coached side beat indisciplined Kawanda SS by a margin of five goals following a 25-20 final score.
Being the hosts, one would expect maximum discipline that can portray the good image of the school but Kawanda SS Netball team led by their coach, Charles totally was opposite.
In second half of the game, the Kawanda SS technical bench led by coach Carles exhibited unsporting behaviors when coach in Charles attacked the umpire which forced the game to be stopped for a number of minutes and the game to resume, the security had to be deployed to protect the Umpires and to send Kawanda’s coach off the bench.
While the moving on, the officials and Kawanda ss ’s players were heard on several times threatening to boycott the game if the umpires on Court were not changed, however, the Netball commissioner, Mr. Richard Muhumuza tried and settled the matters before the game resumed and finally won by Ngando SS.
“The officiating was not good, I don’t know whether the Netball rules changed today, we were not given the advantage, the players were not accepted to steal the balls, surely it wasn’t good but I cant base only on that but maybe it wasn’t our luck but the team is good and it’s ready for nationals.” Says Ssebaggala Steven, the other Kawanda SS Coach.
Coach Richard, the tactician for Ngando SS based their victory on early preparations, teamwork and great support from the school administration.
“This year the competition has been great, but this victory is based on the early preparations, great support from our director, Hajji Najib Kivumbi he has put all it needed in place to see that the game of Netball at the school go high. “Eppa said
” The cooperation from the school administration and the hard work from the girls gave us the win.”Eppa added.
One of the best players in the tournament, Ngando SS centre player, Ngabirano Fortunate also revealed what has helped them to win and what the win means to her.
“I feel so happy today, I wanted to win this for my school because this is my last year in high school, so as a player I had to do all it takes to see that we win and another thing that has helped us to win, we worked as a team, never blamed each other but to encourage each other, our focus was on the game not anything else and that has helped us.” Fortunate says.
In the 3rd place playoff, Madina Islamic beat Kibuli SS by 33-29 to walk away with the bronze.
Full list of 2023 winners:
Overall Winner
Kibuli SS
Boys football
1.Kawempe Muslim A
2.Madina Islamic.
3.Kibuli SS
Girls Football
1.Kawempe Muslim A
2.Kawempe Muslim B
3.Masaka SS
Netball
1.Ngando SS
2.Kawanda SS B
3.Madina Islamic
Boys Volleyball
1.Ubuntu Hill
2.Mbogo Mixed
3.Kinaawa Kawempe
Girls Volleyball
1.Kinaawa Kawempe
2.Mariam High
3.Ubuntu Hill
Boys Handball
1.Kakungulu Memorial
2.Gombe SS
3.Kawanda SS
Girls Handball
1.Kawanda SS A
2.Kibuli SS
3. Gombe SS
Boys Badminton
1. Kibuli SS
2.Kinaawa Kawempe
3.Kakungulu Memorial
Girls Badminton
1.Mbogo High
2.Mariam High
3.Kawanda SS
Boys Table Tennis
1.Kibuli SS
2.Mbogo Mixed
3.Ubuntu Hill
Girls Table Tennis
1.Kibuli SS
2.Mbogo Mixed
3.Mbogo High.
