Eighty-eight young athletes and officials have been flagged off to represent Uganda at the first-ever ANOCA (Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa) School Games, scheduled for July 26 to August 5 in Algeria.
Uganda will compete in eight sports: football, swimming, badminton, beach soccer, table tennis, tennis, athletics, and 3×3 basketball.
The team features students from top schools including Buddo SS, Seroma, Gayaza High, Ngora High, Kibuli SS, British School of Kampala, and Greenhill Academy.
The flag-off took place Monday at Cooper Chimney in Lugogo, led by National Council of Sports General Secretary Dr. Patrick Ogwel. He urged the athletes to aim higher, even toward the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“With the new Sports Act, a gold medalist earns UGX 100 million. So go with focus and purpose,” Ogwel told the team.
Uganda Olympic Committee’s Lydia Dhamuzungu, who will lead the team in Algeria, said the ANOCA Games are a gateway to the 2026 Youth Olympics in Senegal.
“These aren’t just games to attend. Top performers will qualify for Dakar 2026,” she said.
Team leader Patrick Alfred Okanya thanked all supporters and promised the team would proudly represent Uganda.
The Games will take place in four Algerian cities; Annaba, Constantine, Setif, and Skikda. The team will travel in three groups starting Tuesday, flying on Turkish Airlines, Egypt Air, and Qatar Airways.
