Ceremony and Celebration in Bukeeka

It's 9 pm and we just ate dinner after a long but rewarding second day at the Fountain of Hope Football and Netball Tournament! In the morning we sorted out medals for the top eight teams in each sport, then we got to watch the games. By mid-afternoon it was time for the netball championship game, and we got to inspect, meet, and have our photo taken with the officials and athletes in both teams before the game. And the winner was...Fountain of Hope, for the fourth year in a row, easily defeating the second place team 20-6.

The students were jubilant, but immediately headed down to the football pitch for the championship soccer game. After inspecting, greeting, and posing with both teams, we watched and cheered along with thousands of spectators lining the field, though Fountain's team was outrun, out passed, and out scored 3-0. After that we headed up to the campus for a closing ceremony in which I was one of several officials to give speeches. We handed out the 400 some medals, awarded cash prizes and recognition to the best players and teams, and finally awarded the two bulls to the top teams in each sport. By that time it was already dark, but the DJ running the sound system put on the music and the huge crowd of students remaining were dancing in the dark and dust as we headed for home. 

This week two very happy schools will be shooting the bull and enjoying the taste of victory, quite literally, while hundreds of others will cherish their medals and memories. It was a great day, and we will all sleep really well tonight! 

Kirk and the Dignitaries