Sports 26 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
From Humble Beginnings to East African Champions: Panyadoli's Softball Triumph
Panyadoli Self-Help SS has achieved a remarkable feat, winning the East African softball championship despite facing significant resource limitations and a nascent sports program. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/other-sport/panyadoli-turn-schoolyard-dream-into-e-african-crown-5572034
In a stunning display of resilience and talent, Panyadoli Self-Help Secondary School’s girls’ softball team has clinched the East African championship at the FEASSA Games in Morogoro, Tanzania. This victory marks a monumental achievement for a school that only introduced baseball and softball four years ago.
Located in the Kiryandongo refugee settlement, Panyadoli is a government-aided school born from a community initiative in 1995. The school, with an enrollment of 1,694 students, has built its sporting success on collective effort and improvised facilities, championing the belief that opportunity should not be limited by one’s upbringing.
The journey to the East African crown was not paved with standard equipment. Panyadoli’s players honed their skills without a proper baseball diamond and in an area where specialized gear like gloves and bats are scarce. “We turned our school compound into a diamond,” shared Becky Irene, the school’s patron. “Our challenge became our strength because we train in difficult conditions, so we are tough in competition.”
The team’s rise has been meteoric. After dominating the national USSSA Ball Games II in Gulu, winning both baseball and softball titles, they carried that momentum to Morogoro. Their unbeaten run in Tanzania included a commanding 13-0 victory over Tanzania’s Jangwani, showcasing their preparedness and team unity.
Irene emphasized that talent is abundant across East Africa, but exposure makes the difference. To prepare for the regional games, Panyadoli played friendlies against a Cameroonian national selection, which boosted the players’ confidence and belief in their ability to compete at a higher level.
This championship is more than just a sporting accolade; it’s a testament to the school’s philosophy of integrating sports into education to keep children engaged and hopeful. Panyadoli aims to build on this success by developing proper training facilities and establishing a feeder program in local primary schools, proving that with dedication, even under challenging circumstances, extraordinary achievements are possible.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)