Soroti Municipal Secondary School is basking in joy and excitement after emerging as the reigning champions of the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) games for boys in Soroti district and Soroti city.
The school secured the prestigious title after an unbeaten run in both the group stages and the finals, demonstrating exceptional teamwork, determination, and discipline.
The USSSA games in Soroti city and district saw the participation of 20 schools, with 20 teams for boys’ and 20 teams for girls, making a total of 40 teams.
David Okurut, the games teacher at Soroti Municipal SS, acknowledged the competition’s intensity but credited their success to teamwork, hard work, and commitment.
With years of experience in sports, Mr. Okurut remained steadfast in mentoring the team, confident that their discipline and unity would lead to great results.
“This year, we only took the boys’ team due to the need for more attention towards the girls’ team. However, next year, we will involve both teams,” Mr. Okurut revealed.
He expressed his gratitude to the school management for their support in providing essential equipment such as boots, kits, balls, food, and medical care for the players.
He also appreciated the school’s matron for her role as a team doctor ensuring the players’ health is in good condition and the coach for his dedicated efforts.
Soroti Municipal SS had an impressive run in Group C, playing five matches with the following results:
- Soroti Municipal SS vs Crane High School: 1-0
- Agora SS vs Soroti Municipal SS: 0-1
- Soroti Municipal SS vs Bethany Comprehensive: 2-0
- Soroti SS vs Soroti Municipal SS: 0-0
- Soroti Municipal SS vs Holy Angels: 1-0
Despite being in one of the toughest groups, the team persevered and advanced to the quarterfinals, where they faced Halcyon High School.
With a hard-fought 1-0 victory, they proceeded to the semifinals. However, due to petitions against their opponent, Soroti Parents High School, by Light SS regarding non-student players, both teams were disqualified, allowing Soroti Municipal SS to advance directly to the finals.
In the final showdown against Soroti SS, the match ended in a goalless draw, leading to a penalty shootout.
Soroti Municipal SS triumphed with a 5-4 victory, securing the championship title.
With this victory, Soroti Municipal SS, located in Soroti City West, Pamba Ward, along Old Mbale Road, will now represent Soroti district and Soroti city in the regional competition.
They will be joined by Soroti SS, Soroti High School, and Teso College Aloet (TCA) for the boys’ category, alongside six teams for the girls’ category.
The regional competition is scheduled to take place in Kumi, starting on 10th, April 2025.
Mr. Okurut expressed optimism about winning the regional competition despite the increasing level of competition.
He emphasized his players the importance of fostering good relationships with other teams, as these connections could benefit them in the future.
Team captain Isaac Oluka, aka Olis, attributed their success to God, hard work, and thorough preparation.
He extended gratitude to the school administration for their unwavering support, the sports teacher and coach for their guidance, and his fellow players for their discipline, teamwork, and unity.
“Winning the USSSA trophy was a process that started with organizing the team and engaging in friendly matches before the tournament. This built our confidence and readiness to win,” Oluka stated.
He urged his teammates to maintain their spirit of love, unity, cooperation, and discipline to excel in the upcoming regional competition.
He also called for prayers and support from well-wishers as they represent Soroti district and city at large.
Headteacher, Mboizi Rogers commended the team for their dedication and commitment, noting that the victory marked a significant achievement for the school’s reputation.
He encouraged parents in the Teso region to support their children in showcasing their talents, as sports could open doors to numerous opportunities beyond Teso and Uganda.
“Our school provides both full and partial bursaries, not only for academic excellence but also for talented students in various sports and competitions across the country. We encourage students to balance classwork with sports, as it refreshes their minds and builds discipline,” Mr. Mboizi stated.
He further urged students to actively participate in extracurricular activities, as they play a crucial role in talent development, goal achievement, and social recognition while instilling good discipline both in school and at home.
With their eyes set on the regional championship to be held at Kumi, Soroti Municipal SS remains determined to continue their winning streak, making their school and community proud.
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