The Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang has officially opened the 2024 USSSA National Games.
The opening ceremony took place at Masaka Secondary School ground on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
The ceremony was attended by different dignitaries including Ogwang, National Council of Sports General Secretary Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwal and USSSA President Justus Mugisha.
The guest of honor Ogwang expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the well-established structure of sports management at secondary schools’ level.
“I commend the well established structure of sports management at secondary schools’ level, that is yielding good fruits by nurturing talent in various sports disciplines across the country,” he stated.
“I specifically recognize and appreciate the contribution of the schools’ management towards these championships. I know it’s quite difficult for you given the hard economic times, but you have managed to shoulder through,” he added.
“I would want to also thank the participating schools who have taken this component of co curricular activities are mandatory on the school’s program for all secondary schools.”
In the same breath, USSSA President Mugisha welcomed the athletes but sounded strong on the issue of age cheating.
“The Minister (Ogwang) questioned me to ensure that we use only school going students in this championship and I must say we have tried our best to curb the vice,” he said.
“But like you all know since cancer lands somewhere it’s not easy to fight it. Allow me remind those that are still practicing the vice that their days are numbered,” he added.
The third USSSA Vice President, Harriet Margaret Apolot cautioned the athletes to maintain discipline but also work hard to take up the slots for representing the country at a higher stage.
The tournament will continue to day five (Wednesday) as the round of 32 finally gets underway.
