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By Lawrence Mubiru
The stage is set for thrilling semi-final action in the Kho Kho competition at the ongoing USSSA Ball Games II in Gulu, with four schools in each category battling for places in the finals as Uganda continues to build towards international competition.
In the boys’ category, Atiira Seed School will take on Serere Secondary School, while Kyambogo College School faces Olio Seed Secondary School in two eagerly anticipated semi-final clashes.
The girls’ competition will see Serere Township Secondary School square off against St Elizabeth Secondary School, the Serere District champions, while tournament surprise package Rubongi Army Secondary School meets Labori High School for a place in the final.
The semi-final line-up follows an impressive tournament that has showcased the rapid growth of Kho Kho in Uganda. Kyambogo College School has dominated the girls’ competition with commanding displays, while Rubongi Army Secondary School has emerged as one of the revelations of the championship after upsetting several established teams from Serere.
Beyond the competition, the tournament has highlighted Kho Kho’s increasing popularity among school-going athletes, with fast-paced matches attracting growing crowds at the Games in Gulu.
Kho Kho Uganda Technical Director Makubuya Ephraim said the quality of play and commitment displayed by the participants has given the federation confidence as it prepares to assemble a competitive national team for international assignments.
According to Makubuya, Uganda is targeting participation in a tournament in India later this year, while laying the groundwork for next year’s World Cup in England.
He said the USSSA Ball Games II has provided an ideal platform to identify young talent capable of representing the country on the global stage.
“Kho Kho sharpens the brain because a player must be physically fit, mentally alert and capable of making quick decisions,” Makubuya said.
He encouraged more schools to embrace the sport, noting that its relatively low infrastructure requirements make it one of the most accessible disciplines for grassroots development.
Despite the sport’s encouraging growth, Makubuya acknowledged that inadequate playing equipment remains a major obstacle. He appealed to the Government of Uganda and development partners to support Kho Kho Uganda in acquiring professional playing carpets, which are essential for player safety, quality competition and preparing athletes for international standards.
He believes greater investment in infrastructure would not only improve competition locally but also provide thousands of young Ugandans with another pathway into elite sport.
As the tournament heads into the knockout stage, the excitement generated in Gulu has reinforced Kho Kho’s emergence as one of the fastest-growing school sports in Uganda, with the federation optimistic that the current generation of players can form the backbone of future national teams capable of competing on the world stage.
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