The 15th edition of the Weatherhead Hockey Open once again lived up to its reputation as one of Uganda’s premier hockey tournaments, delivering a memorable weekend of competition and entertainment at the Lugogo Hockey Grounds.

Despite the absence of Kenyan teams due to travel challenges linked to the current Ebola outbreak, the tournament retained its competitive edge, attracting top local clubs, schools, hockey enthusiasts, sponsors, and stakeholders from across the country. Over two action-packed days, the event showcased both the established stars of Ugandan hockey and the next generation of talent eager to make their mark on the game.

The tournament opened with an exciting Schools Category competition that highlighted the bright future of Ugandan hockey. In the girls’ category, Kakungulu Girls dominated the group stages, finishing top of the standings after impressive victories over Kololo SS and Kyaddondo S.S.

However, it was Kyaddondo SS who had the final say, overcoming Kakungulu Girls 3-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw to claim the schools girls’ title.

In the boys’ category, Kyaddondo SS once again demonstrated remarkable composure under pressure, defeating Kakungulu Boys 3-2 on penalties following another 1-1 stalemate in the final, completing a memorable day by lifting both schools’ trophies.

As the senior competition unfolded, the intensity only increased. In the women’s category, Wananchi-HDF proved to be the team to beat throughout the tournament. Their consistency and attacking quality saw them finish top of the standings before securing a convincing 2-0 victory over Weatherhead Gazelles in the final to be crowned champions.

The men’s competition delivered some of the tournament’s most thrilling moments. Wananchi SC impressed during the group stages, finishing with a perfect record and a remarkable goal difference of +20.

However, it was Weatherhead Men and Badgers HC who eventually progressed to the final after hard-fought semifinal victories. The championship match provided a fitting finale to the tournament, ending 1-1 in regulation time before WHC Men edged an epic penalty shootout, 11-10, to lift the coveted title.

Tournament Accolades

Schools Category

Girls

Champions: Kyaddondo SS
Runners-up: Kakungulu Girls
Top Scorer: Nakato Janet (Kakungulu Girls) – 4 Goals
MVP: Susan Ayomirwoth (Kyaddondo SS)

Boys

Champions: Kyaddondo SS
Runners-up: Kakungulu Boys
Top Scorer: Nimungu Paul (Kyaddondo SS)
MVP: Ojok Mark William (Kakungulu Memorial)

Senior Women’s Category

Champions: Wananchi-HDF
Runners-up: Weatherhead Gazelles
Top Scorer: Alimo Jolly (Wananchi-HDF) – 4 Goals
MVP: Stella Nankinga (Weatherhead Gazelles)

Senior Men’s Category

Champions: Weatherhead Men
Runners-up: Badgers HC
Top Scorer: Musinguzi Jackson (Wananchi SC) – 8 Goals
MVP: Shafiq Abdul (Badgers HC)