Kampala Region:
Finals:
Girls: Princess Diana 2-3 Gadaffi Intergrated Academy
Boys: Kabowa Youth 3-1 Spartan
Third Place:
Boys: Life Eternal 1-0 Proway
Girls: Kawempe Muslim 0 (4) – 0 (1) Arrows
Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has heaped special praise on Airtel Uganda for promoting football development in Uganda.
The message was conveyed by the FUFA first president, Justus Mugisha who was officiating at the closure of the Kampala region qualifiers.
We appreciate Airtel Uganda for loving football and supporting FUFA in all the endeavors of seeing football grow through leaps and bounds. Airtel Uganda is not only the national team’s main sponsor, but has been also running the Rising stars programme for Under 17 boys and girls for now 5 years. The ARS is the nursery bed of football talent development in Uganda because it is one of the programmes included in player development
Mr Mugisha hinted on the right path trod by the communications giants in promoting football development since they sponsor the senior national team, The Cranes, the FUFA Big league, the Uganda Cup and the Under 17 boys and girls Airtel Rising Stars football programme that has been played for now 5 years.
The FUFA Airtel Rising Stars U-17 girls and boys football programme kick started the fifth season with action in Kampala.
Gaddafi Intergrated Academy won the girls’ version for the third year running after overcoming Princess Diana 3-2 in a thrilling final played at Villa Park play ground in Nsambya, Kampala.
Mayi Naiga registered a brace before Aisha Namukisa made it three for the impressive Gadaffi Intergrated Academy.
Jackline Nakasi’s two well taken strikes towards the end of the game created a tense finish to the game but Gaddafi held it tight to register yet another memorable victory.
In the boy’s final, Kabowa Youth easily won the final after beating Spartan 3-0.
Akim Kiwanuka led the way with a 4th minute goal before Masudi Kayemba doubled the lead after 35th minutes.
Timothy Ssempira the third goal on the 63rd minute mark.
The earlier third place play off matches witnessed Life Eternal beat Proway 1-0 in the boys’ category before Kawempe Muslim girls overcame Arrows 4-1 in post match penalties after normal time had ended goal-less.
There were eight boys’ teams and four in the girls’ catergory that took part in a tournament whose registration is free of charge.
Airtel Uganda and FUFA officials watched the final matches and presided over the closing ceremony as they awarded the winners with trophies and dummy cheques as prizes.
Airtel Uganda Brand Executive, Juma Mayanja and the Brand, Asset and Properties Manager, Noella Byuma attended.
FUFA was represented by the first Vice President, Justus Mugisha and Hamid Juma, the chairperson of the technical department at the federation, Marketing officer and the spokesperson, Ahmed Hussein.
Noella Byuma reaffirmed Airtel Uganda’s commitment towards supporting football and grooming more raw talents.
The ARS is one programme that has helped produce shinning talents who have developed into great players for the nation. Players like Lillian Akello, Kezironi Kizito and Farouk Miya are vivid fruits of the programme
Three venues were used in Kampala. The preliminary round of action had several matches played at two venues – Kitebi primary school and Ssendi play grounds in Kabowa, Wankulukuku.
The second day had semi finals played at Ssendi ground. There were 40 players identified by the ARS programme scouts who will represent Kampala region at the finals that take place in Mbarara later this year.
Buganda region will play the next region qualifiers which will be held at Masaka Recreational stadium on 25th July 2015.
Buganda will be followed by Western and Kitara regions in Masindi (15th August 2015), West Nile and Northern regions in Gulu (12th October 2015) before the national finals on 31st October 2015.
The national finals will take place in Mbarara.
Kampala Region Top Performers:
Most Valuable Players – Aisha Namukasa (Girls) and Rashid Farid (Boys)
Top Scorers: Jackie Namusisi (3 goals) and Deo Nyanzi (3 goals)
The Remaining Regions:
Buganda Region – Masaka – 25th July 2015
Western & Kitara Regions – Masindi– 15th August 2015
West Nile & Northern Regions – Gulu – 12th October 2015
National Finals – 31st October 2015 – Mbarara
MAIN PHOTO: FUFA Technical Director, Asuman Lubowa with the Spartan Boys team that finished runners up to eventual winners, Kabowa Youth.
PHOTO CREDITS: FUFA Communications Department
