Iganga, Uganda: Uganda has flagged off a five-member girls’ chess team from Iganga Secondary School to represent the country at the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games in Morogoro, Tanzania.
The East African competition is scheduled to run from August 12 to 23, bringing together schools from across the region to compete in various sporting disciplines.
The flag-off ceremony was held at Iganga Secondary School and was led by Busoga Chess Federation President Benjamin Talwana, alongside the school management.
Talwana expressed confidence in the team, citing its strong performance in regional and national competitions held in Gulu City.
He urged the players to remain disciplined and stick to the strategies they have developed during their preparations rather than experimenting with unfamiliar approaches during competition.
“Maintain your playing strategy and avoid gambling with new styles which may confuse you before your opponents,” Talwana advised.
Iganga Secondary School Headteacher Monica Nakaziba Kayiira challenged the players to work hard and represent both the school and Uganda with pride.
“Bring back the trophy, medals and certificates to make the country and school proud of you,” Kayiira said.
She said the school provides students with opportunities to excel in both academics and co-curricular activities, giving them avenues to develop skills that can benefit them in their future careers.
The school’s sports teacher, Peter Otim, attributed the team’s progress to the availability of several chess boards and a full-time trainer, which he said have enabled the players to practise effectively and helped the school identify its strongest competitors.
Otim said the trip marks the second time the school will represent Uganda at the competition and expressed confidence that the team can return with the trophy.
Team captain Catherine Mutesi said the players were proud to carry Uganda’s flag and promised to give their best in Tanzania.
“We are proud to represent Uganda in the games. We expect success and will bring the trophy to the country,” Mutesi said.
Rev. Racheal Mukyala, the school chaplain and person in charge of Church of Uganda schools in Central Busoga Diocese, led prayers for the team before its departure and asked God to guide the players throughout the competition.
The FEASSA Games will feature several sporting disciplines, including football, beach volleyball and volleyball, with schools from different East African countries taking part.
Iganga Secondary School enters the chess competition after emerging regional champions unbeaten and finishing third at the national level.
The school will represent Uganda alongside St. Andrew Gombe Secondary School and Ntake Secondary School Wampewo.
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