One more year of waiting as the Lamennais Tournament is postponed

There is a deep sense of emptiness and heartbreak in Kisubi and Entebbe after the much-anticipated Lamennais Tournament, which was supposed to be played last week, was officially postponed to next year.

The Lamennais Tournament is not just a schools competition.

It is one of the most exciting and prestigious schools tournaments in the East Africa region, a one week festival that brings sister schools together every second term holiday.

For one full week, local businesses boom, boda riders make extra income and thousands of football fans fill up to watch the best talents from Brothers schools.

This year, that life is missing.

The pitches of SMACK are silent and the streets of Kisubi are left yearning for the noise, dance, and football that never came.

Furthermore, the tournament organized for schools run by the Brothers of Christian Instruction of Kisubi, features football for both boys and girls, table tennis, and scrabble.

It is a breeding ground for future stars and a reunion for the entire Mennaisain family.

For starters, this year’s edition was scheduled to be hosted by St. Mary’s College Kisubi, who had prepared for months to welcome their brother schools.

According to the organizing committee, the main reason for the postponement was the new regulations put up by the Ministry of Transport regarding the transportation of school students across the country.

Moreso, the organizing committee, working hand-in-hand with the host school SMACK, tried everything possible to convince the Ministry to at least allow those schools to travel to Kisubi, but all went in vain.

Despite the disappointment, we continue to congratulate the Brothers of Christian Instruction, Kisubi, who successfully celebrated their Centennial Anniversary last Saturday, 5th September, at the St. Mary’s College Kisubi grounds.

It was a colourful celebration of 100 years of transformative education in Uganda.

From our reliable sources, St. Mary’s College Kisubi has been given another chance to host the tournament next year.

The last edition that was played at SMACK back in 2016, where their sister school St. Edwards Bukuumi emerged as champions.

Some of the schools that participate in this annual tournament include St Mary’s College Kisubi, St Charles Lwanga SS Kasasa, Bishop Comboni College Kambuga, St Henry’s College Kitovu, Uganda Martyrs High School Lubaga, Nebbi Town SS, St Edwards Bukuumi, Lamennais SS Kyotera, and Caltec Academy Makerere.

The tournament has produced some of the biggest talents in the country, including Nicholas Kasozi at Kitara FC, Douglas Oyirwoth captain of Ntugasaze FC, Bashir Kabuye at UPDF FC, Kevin Nakachwa at Rines SS WFC, Patience Nabulobi at URA WFC, and Catherine Nagadya, who now features for Al Ahly in the Egyptian Women’s Super League.

For now, Kisubi will have to wait one more year to hear the drums, the school chants, and the roar of goals again.

The pain is real, but the hope for a bigger and better return next year keeps the spirit alive.