Yusuf Nanga, the head coach of Masaka Senior Secondary School cricket team, is in a buoyant mood ahead of National Girls Schools Week.
The educator is confident of his team’s chances of making history in Soroti when the event bowls off this Sunday.
Masaka is one of the pioneers of women’s cricket in Uganda and they have been part of this competition since its inception in the early 2000s.
Though, Masaka has never won the title and the only time they came close was in 2017 when they lost to record winners Jinja SS at the finals held in Lugogo.
As they head into their opening game of this year’s edition on Sunday, Nanga feels positive about their chances.
“We are not under any pressure to win it. We actually go in as underdogs which I think plays to our favour.”
Nanga feels confident about his side but insists that every team is capable of coming out as Champions.
“I don’t think there’s an outright winner. These teams were the best from their respective regions meaning, any is capable of winning it.”
Jinja SS
The team that will fancy their chances of winning it is Jinja SS. Coached by Habib Mugalula, the eastern giants have won this competition a record eight times.
That’s four championships more than the next school, Gayaza High despite not lifting it since 2018.
Olila High has been on the roll, winning the previous two editions (2019 and 2022). This tournament was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.
Like Jinja SS, follow Eastern Uganda school Olila High goes into this tournament as favourites.
The inaugural winners of this competition Gayaza High will not take part in this edition after pulling out at the very last moment.
Previous Winners
2001: Gayaza HS
2002: Gayaza HS
2003: City HS
2004: City HS
2005: Gayaza HS
2006: City HS
2007: Not Held
2008: Jinja SS
2009: Not Held
2010: Jinja SS
2011: Gayaza HS
2012: Jinja SS
2013: Jinja SS
2014: Jinja SS
2015: Kololo SS
2016: Jinja SS
2017: Jinja SS
2018: Jinja SS
2019: Olila HS
2020: Not Held
2021: Not Held
2022: Olila HS
GIRL’S SCHOOLS CRICKET WEEK 2023 – SOROTI
7th May 2023
Group A
1. Olila HS
2. Iganga SSS
3. Mt Rwenzori GS
4. St John’s SSS
5. Light SSS
6. Ndejje SSS
7. Gulu HS
Group B
1. Jinja SSS
2. Lord’s Meade VC
3. Kilembe SSS
4. St Mary’s GS Madera
5. Victoria HS
6. Masaka SSS
Morning Fixtures
Fr. Hilders Ground
St John’s HS Vs Iganga SSS – 9:30am
St Mary’s GS Madera
St Mary’s Madera vs Jinja SSS – 9:30am
Teso Col Astra
Mt Rwenzori GS Vs Light SSS – 9:30am
Teso Col 2
Masaka SSS Vs Victoria HS- 9:30am
Afternoon Fixtures
Fr Hilders Ground
Victoria HS Vs Jinja SSS – 2:00pm
Madera Ground
Iganga SSS Vs Olila HS- 2:00pm
Teso Col Astra
Lords Meade VC Vs Kilembe SSS- 2:00pm
Teso Col 2
Ndejje SSS Vs Gulu HS- 2:00pm
By: Rose Agwang
Courtesy Photos
