The 2023 edition of the Weatherhead Open is set to get underway on 9th June with both the schools and club tournaments at Kyadondo SS and the Hockey grounds in Lugogo.
Over ten teams are expected to take part in this edition, and Weatherhead, the proprietors of the event will be seeking for a record extending sixth trophy.
The Open was first organized in 2011, but Weatherhead’s first triumph in the event came in 2017. They went on to win all the editions that followed, and they come into this edition as defending champions.
In the Women’s category, Weatherhead (W) have won it a record six times, but they have not lifted this trophy since 2018. Wananchi (W) who won it in 2017 and 2021 are the defending champions.
Wananchi (M), the inaugural winners of the event will be hoping to reclaim the trophy they last won in 2016.
The Weatherhead Open is a source for more game time to players, both young and seniors. Weatherhead chairman, Steven Jjuuko says this competition was started to ‘groom players into the game’.
“The original motivation for us was to groom our own umpires and players into the game. It was a tournament we gave all our players playing time by having extra teams participate in the event.” Jjuuko who also doubles as the stand in coach for the club’s men’s team said.
Jjuuko added that through the Open, Weatherhead has shown that a club can stage an event.
“Over time, we have decided to show that despite the constraints in local sports, a club can organise a good well run tournament.”
The tournament will run between June 9-11 at the Hockey grounds in Lugogo for the club section and Kyadondo SS for the schools section.
Weatherhead Open past winners:
Men.
Wananchi Hockey Club
(2011,2012,2013,2016)
Kampala Hockey Club
(2014,2015)
Weatherhead Hockey Club
(2017,2018,2019,2021,2022)
Women
Weatherhead Hockey Club
(2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2018)
Deliverance Church
(2016,2019)
Wananchi Hockey Club
(2017,2021,2022)
