The Uganda Squash Rackets Association (USRA) aims for a triple win as the second edition of the Kampala Club Squash Championship kicks off, coinciding with the first-ever East Africa Squash Federation Refereeing Course in the region.
This exciting event is further bolstered by the presence of Dr. Lucky Mlilo, President of Africa Squash. The highly experienced Zimbabwean squash official brings his expertise to conduct the SFA refereeing training course.
Having officiated at five Squash World Cups, Dr. Mlilo will also grace the championship featuring over 90 players from East African countries competing in the Senior Open categories for both men and women.
At a press conference held on July 1st, 2024, at the Kampala Club in anticipation of the week-long event (July 1st-6th), Dr. Mlilo expressed his enthusiasm: “This is my first visit to Uganda, and I’m impressed by the organization compared to other countries. I thank the National Council of Sports (NCS) for their support of squash. I’m delighted to be here for the refereeing course and urge Ugandans to participate. It’s open to coaches, players, and especially those aspiring to become referees. To truly contribute to squash development, acquiring knowledge about the sport is crucial.”
This refereeing course holds immense significance as Uganda currently lacks certified squash referees.
What NCS said
The National Council of Sports, represented by James Kasumba, reaffirmed their unwavering support: “The NCS is mandated to support all sports bodies that contribute to talent development. These bodies are working on our behalf, and it’s our responsibility to empower them. We are committed to providing all the necessary support, both mentioned and unmentioned, to ensure the success of squash in Uganda.”
USRA President Johnbosco Tamwesigire Ahimbisibwe announced the participation of 17 clubs from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, vying for a total prize purse of 5 million shillings. The event was also graced by the presence of renowned squash players like Mike Kawooya, Paul Kadoma, and Rwandan star Emmanuel Amuri.
Photo Credit David Isabirye
