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By Kayiira Jackson
What started as a demonstration sport just three years ago has rapidly evolved into one of the fastest-growing disciplines at the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) National Ball Games II Championship.
DanceSport, which made its first appearance at the 2022 championship in Gulu, has continued its impressive rise, attracting a record 342 athletes for this year’s competition currently underway in Gulu City.
The latest figures represent a significant increase from last year’s 270 participants, highlighting the sport’s growing popularity among secondary schools across the country. This year’s competition features 174 girls and 168 boys, compared to 144 girls and 126 boys in the previous edition.
The expansion is equally evident in the number of participating schools. The boys’ competition has grown to 29 teams, up from 21, while the girls’ category now boasts 28 teams, an increase from 24.
According to Uganda DanceSport Federation General Secretary Barnabas Ssebuyungo, the rapid growth has been driven by deliberate efforts to market the sport and strengthen its presence at the grassroots.
“Our success is largely attributed to good marketing strategies and massive entries in grassroots via different schools settings. We have also built capacity in different walks including DJ, judge, MC, media, and first aid and safety,” Ssebuyungo said.
The group stage concluded on Saturday, with teams battling across 15 groups in the boys’ category—made up of twelve groups of four teams and three groups of three—while the girls competed in six groups, including four groups of four and two groups of three.
Attention now shifts to Sunday’s Round of 16, where the race for national honours intensifies as schools compete in Breaking, Popping, Afro, and Hip Hop Crew categories.
Beyond the national title, there is even greater incentive for the competitors. The top four schools in both the boys’ and girls’ categories will earn the right to represent Uganda at the 2026 Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games, scheduled for August 12–23 in Morogoro, Tanzania.
Defending champions Sheema Girls Secondary School and St. Julian High School–Gayaza will be looking to retain their respective girls’ and boys’ crowns when the championship concludes on July 17 with the finals and awarding ceremony at Sacred Heart Secondary School in Gulu City.
, https://voiceofbugerere.com/dancesports-remarkable-rise-continues-as-entries-hit-record-high-at-usssa-ball-games-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dancesports-remarkable-rise-continues-as-entries-hit-record-high-at-usssa-ball-games-ii
