2015/16 Pepsi Beach Soccer National League:
Referees Fitness Test: Saturday, 15th August 2015 – Lido Beach, Entebbe
League Kick-off: Sunday, 23rd August 2015 – Lido Beach, Entebbe
Ahead of the start of the 7th edition of Pepsi National Beach soccer league, the draws for the league have been conducted at FUFA House in Mengo, Kampala on Tuesday.
At the same time, each of the 16 teams in the national league have received their playing balls (5 each).
FUFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Edgar Watson presided over the function attended by the Uganda Beach Soccer Association (UBSA) chairman, FUFA Delegate (representing beach soccer), Mr. Anthony Tumwesigye, Mr. Deo Mutabazi, FUFA Competitions director, Mr. Ali Mwebe and the Beach soccer secretariat staff
Club representatives and the respective media personnel also attended the draws.
The league sponsors, Crown Beverages under the flagship brand, Pepsi were represented by Yasin Ssebanduka from the department of brand and marketing, who represented the company’s Brand Manager, Benda Kiiza.
The FUAF CEO appreciated all the stake holders of the game from the players, team managers, fans, sponsors, the management of Lido beach, Entebbe and the media.
He urged;
Each of us has a crucial role played that has seen Beach Soccer grow through leaps and bounds. Please continue with the good deeds that have seen this sport mature and pick momentum.
The Beach Soccer Association chairman, Mutabazi reinstated the need to maintain the legacy set by the already existing platform as a means to see beach soccer elevated to another level altogether.
Mode of play:
Like the mode of play has been in the previous seasons, there are two groups – Hurriken and Moonson which will engage in group matches for the first and second round.
After the regular season, the top four teams per group will qualify for the play-off stage where quarterfinals, semi final and eventually the finals to determine the winner shall be held.
Teams in the League:
Each of the two groups has 8 teams apiece to make a total of 16 teams in the league.
Hurriken has MUBS, Nkumba Select, Kampala All Stars, Talented, Miami Kops, Kayunga Town Council, St Lawrence University and Buwanika Bulls.
Moonson has Real Galacticals, Stormers, Uhuru Titans, YMCA, Dalumba, Kabalagala Rangers, Muteesa Rangers and Kampala International University (KIU).
How the Draws Were Conducted:
There were four pots used at the Draws.
Pot 1 had the four seeded teams (teams that reached the play off stage) – MUBS, Nkumba Select, Real Galacticals and Stormers.
Pot 2 had the rest of the teams in the draws. New comers, Miami Kops, Kabalagala Rangers and Kampala All Stars.
The others were Talented, St Lawrence University and Buwanika Bulls, Uhuru Titans, YMCA, Dalumba, Mutesa Royal and Kampala International University (KIU).
Pot 3 and 4 had the Hurriken and Monsoon slots respectively.
The league manager, Phobe Kutamba and the secretary of the competitions, Sarah Birungi assured the teams of an efficient and well organized league with the fixtures coming up in a week’s time.
The league sponsor’s representative, Yasin Ssebanduka recommitted the company (Pepsi)’s overwhelming commitment to further support beach soccer in Uganda.
The FUFA Competitions Director Ali Mwebe used the plat form to appreciate the fans, team managers, media, players, FIFA and FUFA for the support accorded to the game of beach soccer development in Uganda.
Mwebe was quick to warn all parties whose aim is intended to bring the sport into disrepute.
I call upon all entities to respect their own regulations. You can not disrespect a fellow player, official, organizer, match official or manager and we move forward. Perhaps, i encourage each of us to continue with the exemplary character that we have dwelt upon for the development of beach soccer in Uganda.
There are referee fitness tests arranged on Saturday, 15th August 2015 at Lido Beach ahead of the league start on Sunday, 23rd August 2015.
This will be the 7th season running when the league is being played in Uganda.
MAIN PHOTO: FUFA CEO, Edgar Watson hands over playing balls to MUBS team manager, Hilary Kimbugwe at FUFA House in Kampala on Tuesday.
PHOTO CREDITS: FUFA Communications Department
