The 11th edition of the Kampala Hockey Club (KHC) Schools Festival hosted by Naalya SS Bweyogerere on Saturday served everything; from mazy dribbles, goals, classy saves, firsts, and shootout drama.

Gayaza High School won their first title in the competition that started in 2014. On their touchline was KHC forward Lucky Akello, who brought her winning attitude to her first competition as a coach.

On the pitch, Gayaza worked as a unit but Ingrid Nabayijja, who played for KHC at the Africa Cup for Club Champions (ACCC) in Egypt and the Uganda Hockey Association (UHA) U-19 Tournament in Lugogo during the school holiday, stood out with her work rate. She was rewarded for her efforts by converting the last penalty for her side to win the final shootout 5-4 against Mt. St. Mary’s College Namagunga.

Namagunga was also inspired by eventual tournament most valuable player (MVP) Noeline Natabo, who also played with Nabayijja in Egypt and Lugogo, but her last penalty could not get past goalkeeper of the tournament Destiny Aturinda from Gayaza.

The hosts’ consolation in the girls’ category was getting the top scorer in Harmony Karungi but went one better in the boys’ as their main team edged 2023 and 2014 champions King’s College Budo 5-4 on penalties to win their first-ever trophy.

Interestingly both sides topped their groups in a competition that attracted eight teams in the boys’ category and also needed to edge sides from Namilyango College on penalties in the semi-finals to make the final.

Right-back Joseph Kakuru was the shootout hero for the school, coached by KHC defender Dulf Musoke, and was eventually named tournament top scorer as his teammate and midfielder Joel Kayiwa was named most valuable player.

Budo’s consolation came from Jonathan Lutimba being named goalkeeper of the tournament.

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