The pulse of youth handball in East Africa is set to beat louder as Uganda gears up to host the IHF Africa Zone Five women’s youth and junior tournaments from May 6th to 10th in Kampala.
With nine nations confirming participation, this regional showdown promises intense action and invaluable development for rising stars across the continent.
Among the voices guiding Uganda’s preparations is Coach Ibrahim Congo, who is already overseeing training sessions at the Old Kampala Arena.
Though the team began preparations slightly behind schedule, Congo remains optimistic and focused on long-term development.
“The preparations started two weeks behind and since most of them have been active in school, it is just a matter of small adjustments,” Congo explained.
“This project is good for us because we are looking at the next Olympics, and we are working with the underage.”
It’s a bold and strategic vision. While the tournament serves as a qualifier for the continental championship, Congo sees beyond the immediate goal.
For him, this is a step in building a foundation that could one day carry Ugandan athletes to the global stage, including the Olympic Games.
Uganda will be joined by Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia, making the tournament one of the most diverse regional gatherings in recent years.
The event features players under 19 years old, giving young talent a critical platform to shine.
Uganda Handball Federation president Sheila Agonzibwe emphasized the dual significance of the tournament, competitive and infrastructural.
“It is advantageous for us to host because it gives us a chance to know our strength both in infrastructure and competition,” she noted.
“We are struggling in infrastructure and we want to test what is in Uganda and see if the world accepts it.”
Indeed, hosting such an event not only sharpens the players’ competitive edge but also spotlights Uganda’s readiness to embrace international sporting standards.
The exposure is expected to inspire improvements across the board from facilities to coaching structures.
Leading Uganda’s under-17 squad is team captain Leticia Aketch, who embodies the determination fueling the hosts’ ambitions.
“Hard work, commitment and unity” are her guiding principles and she’s confident those values will propel her team to victory on home soil.
