A contingent of 47 Ugandans, comprising athletes under 15 years and senior officials, have been flagged off to travel to Serbia, where they will participate in the Under 15 Gymnasiade World Championship.
At the ISF U-15 Gymnasiade, scheduled to take place in Zlatibor, Serbia, Uganda shall have 34 players playing in Basketball 3×3, Badminton, Swimming and Athletics, though the event shall have 25 sports disciplines.
Out of the 34 athletes, Seroma Christian High School has 15 players, the majority of the team, while Kibuli SS has the second-largest number, while other players are selected from different secondary and primary schools.
With the team awaiting to set off, team captain Malcom Ssentongo promised to lead the team positively.
“We are going back to these games after gaining a special experience from the last edition in Bahrain where we found out that there are many teams are ahead of us but we have used that experience to prepare ourselves and helping those who are new on the team, now we are going to Serbia with a great Character to show up there, we are going to do our best to see ourselves winning everything possible at the event.”
Team Uganda was flagged off by Cleophas Mugenyi, Acting Director of Basic Education at the Ministry of Education and Sports, who was the chief guest during the event held at Copper Chimney, Lugogo on 2nd April 2025.
While addressing the team at the event Mugenyi said;
“As the Ministry of Education and Sports, our mission is excelling in both education and sports, seeing these students go out to represent our country is confirmation and affirmation of our vision.”
The team flagged off has Sammy Odong, Assistant Commissioner Physical Education at the Ministry of Education and Sports, as Leader of the Delegation, Patrick Okanya as team leader and Soroma Christian High School director Ameria Kyambadde as Team Manager.
At the event, Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association president Justus Mugisha stood optimistic with the team.
“We have sent the best of the best not only at the National level but at the World level. They are tested at different series locally and internationally, I am confident that the team can win trophies.
“I applaud the government for funding USSSA and this team is halfway funded by the government through National Council of Sports. The other funds are a result of cost sharing between Seroma Christian High School, Kibuli SS and USSSA”
The ISF Gymnasiade under 15 is set to start from 4th April and climax on 14th April 2025, with teams representing countries across the world.
Team Uganda Composition
- Table Tennis – Kibuli Secondary School (Boys & Girls), Seroma Christian High School (Boys)
- Swimming – Seroma Christian High School
- Badminton – Seroma Christian High School (Boys & Girls)
- Athletics – Team Uganda.
