St. Joseph’s Vocational School Mbarara is set to host the 12th Edition of the Jovoc Open Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 8, 2025, with a record 36 teams confirmed to participate in the prestigious competition.
The tournament, which has grown into one of the most anticipated school basketball events in Uganda, will feature top teams from across the country, including defending champions Elite High School Entebbe, Bethel Covenant College, Ndejje SSS, Maryhill High School, St. Andrea Kaahwa’s College Hoima, Kabalega SS, and Nyakasura School, among others.
Rev. Fr. Chris Katono, the headmaster of St. Joseph’s Vocational School, emphasised the tournament’s role in preparing teams for regional and national championships.
“The Jovoc Tournament helps teams build their strength, compete favourably, and identify their weaknesses and strengths. It also provides exposure, improves relationships between schools across the country, and helps identify new talent,” he noted.
The tournament has had a significant impact on basketball development in Western Uganda, with many schools embracing the sport and using the platform to nurture young athletes.
Byamukama Alex Seminy, the tournament organizer, expressed excitement about the large turnout, noting that this year’s edition is expected to be the biggest yet.
“We are set to host the largest number of teams and are ready to provide them with better and quality services. We expect intense competition because basketball has significantly developed over time, thanks to the Jovoc Open Basketball Tournament, which has been organised annually,” he said.
Participating Teams
Boys’ Category:
The boys’ tournament will feature 26 teams, including Ntare School, Mbarara High School, Kitabi Seminary, Nyakasura School, Mpanga SS, Ndejje SSS, and Elite High School, among others.
Girls’ Category:
The girls’ competition will have 12 teams, including Maryhill High School, St. Mary’s Girls Vocational School, Sacred Heart SS Mushanga, Nyakasura School, Ndejje SSS, Elite High School, and Hana International School.
As the excitement builds, basketball enthusiasts can expect high-intensity matchups, as schools battle for supremacy and a chance to claim the 12th Jovoc Open Basketball Tournament title.