UCU Vice Chancellor Rev. Canon Dr. John Senyonyi is hopeful the Centennial celebrations of the University have come in handy with the preparation of the 15th edition of the NUSFU games that get underway on 15th December in Mukono.
The Games will be the climax of a series of activities for the celebrations that started early this year. Senyonyi says that much as the main focus has been put on the infrastructure to host the Games, he would like to see the hosts win medals in various sports disciplines when over 25 universities converge at the university’s main campus.
However he admits that they have been hit hard by financial constraints as they have had to spend more money on the facilities to be used for the games that will run from 15th-21st December. He adds that it is a blessing in disguise as they are the first private University to get an opportunity to host the Games twice. They hosted the games for the first time in 2007.
“We shall be eyeing medals during the Games as we want to end the centenary celebration on a high’ said Dr. Senyonyi.
Senyonyi’s confidence derives from his University’s total support towards sports development where they are a force to reckon with in various disciplines. However, he believes that discipline and sports must move together to get the best results.
Senyonyi wants to see high levels of dsciplines exhibited by the teams that will take part during the Games.
“I want to ask all travelling teams and UCU inclusive to exhibit high levels of discipline because the two go hand in hand and if not keenly observed, teams will be let down’ added Senyonyi.
Meanwhile the chairman of the local organizing committee Rev Milton Tweheyo believes that 80 % of the work has been completed.
“We are finalizing the Handball courts and Netball courts. By Saturday they will be complete and what will be left is for the teams to rub shoulders with their opponents” said Tweheyo.
A worker watering the ground to keep it in good shape ahead of the NUSFU Games
Swimming will be held at Kampala Parents, Rugby at Namilyango College School and Soccer will have some games at Ntaawo and Namilyango.
The Vice President NUSFU Vincent Kisenyi revealed that after the draws were held on Monday the fixtures will certainly be competitive in the group stages.
“We are working on the team lists forwarded to the LOC so as to eliminate any elements of forgery to avoid any chance of mercenaries being used’ said Kisenyi.
UCU Vice Chancellor Rev. Canon Dr. John Senyonyi (extreme right) with members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) (L-R) Gloria Kiconco, Rev. Milton Tweheyo (Chairman LOC) and NUSFU Vice President Vincent Kisenyi
UCU were sixth overall at the last edition held in Ndejje two years ago but have made significant steps in disciplines like basketball and athletics. “In Ndejje, we were not very well prepared,” Rev Milton Tweheyo, the UCU Director of Student Affairs, explained. “We fielded a very small number and should do better this time round.”
The institution’s male basketball side, UCU Canons, were eliminated from the national league in the quarterfinals and have a chance to make emends in the home competition. Canons never made the knockout stages of the 2011 edition but their female counterparts edged KIU to lift the title.
NUSFU Vice President Vincent Kisenyi updating the media about progress of the preparations.
