12th Edition of the Jovoc Open Basketball Tournament

Date: Saturday, 8th March 2025
Venue: St. Joseph's Vocational School, Mbarara

About the Jovoc Open Basketball Tournament

The Jovoc Open Basketball Tournament is a premier basketball championship for secondary schools in the western region, featuring both boys' and girls' teams. It is organized annually by St. Joseph’s Vocational School, Mbarara, every March.

Established in 2013, the tournament began with 11 schools and has grown significantly, attracting teams from across the country.

Objectives of the Tournament

• To develop basketball from the grassroots in the western region.
• To prepare players for district, zonal, and national championships.
• To offer a platform for schools that do not compete in other major basketball tournaments.

Growth and Participation

• From 11 teams in 2013 to 50 teams in 2020 before the COVID-19 disruption.
• In 2025, we expect around 30 schools to take part due to improved organization.
• Teams from as far as Hoima, Gulu, Kabale, Masindi, and Kampala have confirmed participation.

Previous Champions

Boys' Category

• 2013: St. Joseph’s Vocational School (Jovoc)
• 2014: Nyakasura
• 2015: Masaka
• 2016: Nyakasura
• 2017: Kabale Trinity College
• 2018: Nakivale SS
• 2019: Ndejje Secondary School
• 2020: Bethel Covenant College
• 2022: Nakivale SS
• 2023: Elite High School Entebbe

Girls' Category

• Maryhill High School
• St. Mary’s Vocational School, Kyamuhunga
• Exodus College, Wakiso
• St. Noa Girls, Zana

2025 Tournament Highlights

25 teams have confirmed participation, with more expected to join.
Defending National Champions, Watoto, alongside Maryland and Setah High Main, have joined the entry list.
Basketball is gaining popularity in the western region, and excitement is building up for the event.

Special Guest & Sponsors

Chief Guest: FUBA President, Nassar Serunjogi
Sponsors:

• Coca-Cola
• UCC
• Centenary Bank
• Vision Group
• Luxor Restaurant and Grill
• Itel Uganda
• Global Coaches
• Crooze FM

Challenges & Areas for Improvement

• Limited basketball courts, requiring some matches to be played at Mbarara High School and Maryhill High School.
• Few referees in the western region, leading to reliance on referees from Kampala.
• Need for capacity building to train more local referees.
• Sponsorship constraints, requiring more financial support to run the tournament smoothly.

We are committed to growing the Jovoc Open Basketball Tournament into a national-level competition and expanding participation from more schools across Uganda.

See you on 8th March 2025 in Mbarara for an exciting tournament!

Byamukama Alex
Organiser