The heartbeat of East African handball is pounding with raw intensity as the IHF Trophy Zone 5 Tournament kicks off tomorrow 6th.05.2025 at the Old Kampala Sports Arena, where the continent’s most promising U20 and U18 handball warriors square off in a fiery bid for regional supremacy.
The arena is already crackling with energy, banners flying, fans roaring, and anticipation swirling in the air as Uganda hosts a tournament destined to leave a lasting mark in the sport’s grassroots development. With pride, national colors, and future careers on the line, teams from Djibouti, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Burundi, Somalia, and Uganda are geared up to battle it out in a display of grit, speed, and tactical brilliance.
Junior (U20) Fixtures – A Test of Nerve and Skill
The day’s action starts at 12:00 PM with Djibouti facing a sharp Rwanda side eager to assert dominance early. At 2:00 PM, Tanzania collides with a tenacious Kenya squad, promising a high-octane clash. The tempo rises at 4:00 PM when Burundi and Uganda lock horns in what is anticipated to be a physical, high-scoring thriller. The U20 curtain comes down with a late-night standoff at 8:00 PM, as Somalia squares up against Ethiopia under the floodlights, closing the day’s junior action with flair.
Youth (U18) Duels , Rising Stars in the Spotlight
The younger guns will not be left behind, as the U18 tournament promises to deliver just as much spectacle. Kicking off bright and early at 8:00 AM, Ethiopia faces Tanzania in a matchup that could set the tone for the youth bracket. At 10:00 AM, expect speed and fury when Somalia takes on Kenya. The most anticipated U18 showdown of the day ignites at 6:00 PM as Uganda, playing on home soil, battles archrivals Rwanda in a clash that promises fireworks, national pride, and a stadium shaking with emotion.
The Kampala Cauldron is Boiling
This year’s IHF Trophy is more than just a tournament, it is a festival of raw talent, a proving ground for tomorrow’s continental stars. The Old Kampala Sports Arena has become a melting pot of East African handball fervor. Coaches bark commands, fans chant in unison, and every whistle blast is met with thunderous applause or gasps.
Beyond the competition, the event underscores the International Handball Federation’s commitment to youth and grassroots development, particularly in Zone 5. The future of African handball is being molded in this crucible of competition, and Kampala is the stage where dreams will be made or broken.
Conclusion: Let the Games Ignite!
With stakes sky-high and the heat already unbearable, not from the sun, but from the sizzling court action, one thing is certain: handball in Kampala is not just being played, it’s being lived.
As the slogan says: “letsplayhandball,” but in Kampala, we say, ” let’s set the court on fire!”
Stay focused, be there .The battle lines have been drawn. The stage is strongly warmed.
