By Jackline Nabirye
Officer Communications & Brand Management - ICPAU
The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development and grassroots sports by sponsoring the 16th ICPAU Juniors Woodball Championship to the tune of 21 million shillings.
Organised by the Uganda Woodball Federation (UWbF), the championship is expected to attract more than 600 participants from over 100 primary and secondary schools across the country, up from 400 participants at the 2025 edition. The tournament will take place on 13 June 2026 at the Kyambogo University Peace Park Grounds in Kampala.
Speaking at a press conference in Kampala ahead of the championship, Lydia Tusiime, Manager Business Development at ICPAU, said the continued growth in participation reflects the success of efforts to promote the sport among young people since ICPAU began sponsoring the championship in 2010.
"We have witnessed tremendous growth in the game over the years. The increase from 400 participants last year to 600 this year demonstrates that woodball continues to grow and attract more young people across the country," she said.
Tusiime noted that, beyond developing sporting talent, the championship helps to nurture values such as integrity, accountability and professionalism among young people, which align closely with ICPAU's core values.
She reaffirmed ICPAU's commitment to supporting the championship and promoting initiatives that contribute to the holistic development of young Ugandans.
ICPAU’s sponsorship of the 2026 championship, reflects a continuing a partnership under which the Institute has sponsored all 16 editions of the tournament since its inception.
The Uganda Woodball Federation credited the championship with playing a significant role in identifying and nurturing talent, noting that many players currently representing Uganda at national and international competitions began their journeys through the ICPAU Junior Woodball Championship.
Speaking at the press conference, the General Secretary of the Uganda Woodball Federation, Adam Juma Kato, said the growing number of participants demonstrates the increasing popularity of woodball among young people in Uganda.
"The championship promotes talent development among the younger generation and supports the growth of woodball from the grassroots. The increase in participation numbers is clear evidence that the sport is growing," he said.
Kato noted that the championship aligns with the National Council of Sports' emphasis on taking sports development to primary and secondary schools as well as communities across the country. He added that many players currently representing Uganda at national and international levels are products of the ICPAU Junior Woodball Championship.
"Most of the athletes on the national team and those competing internationally were first identified and nurtured through this championship," he said.
The championship was initially scheduled to take place in Koboko District in the West Nile region. However, the organisers relocated the event to Kyambogo University following concerns related to the Ebola outbreak in parts of the country. Kato assured participants and stakeholders that all Standard Operating Procedures and health guidelines would be strictly observed during the competition.
The championship is expected to bring together 50 boys' teams and 50 girls' teams, comprising a 600 participants from schools across Uganda. In addition to promoting participation in sport, the competition also serves as a platform for identifying athletes who will represent Uganda in future regional and continental woodball competitions.
The championship will feature competitions for both primary and secondary school learners and is expected to provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their talent while contributing to the continued growth of woodball in Uganda.
The Uganda Woodball Federation has expressed appreciation to ICPAU for its continued support and commitment to sports development, noting that the partnership has played a significant role in expanding the reach and popularity of woodball across the country.
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