2017 Mama Becca Memorial Tournament:
U-14 winner: Jinja Main Street Primary School
U-19 winner: Mukono High School
Open Catergory winner: Ajax Queens
Curtain raiser: Uganda Crested Cranes Ex-Internationals 2-0 Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) Ladies
The 2017 FUFA Mama Becca Memorial tournament was successfully held over the weekend in Entebbe Municipality.
Jinja Main Street primary school emerged champions after overcoming Taggy Girls 2-0 in the finals of the event where 30 teams took part.
Mukono High School were the secondary school winners, after edging Kawempe Muslim S.S 1-0 in a well contested final.
Ajax Queens won a tense penalty shoot out 4-2 over Kawempe Muslim after normal time had ended goal-less.
A total of over 3000 players took part in the month long tournament played in honour of the late Rebecca Kazibwe, one of the pioneers of women football in Uganda.
The nation wide tournament started with regional and district qualifiers in 16 districts of Uganda.
FUFA Executive Committee member Chris Kalibala appreciated all the participating teams, primary schools and clubs, praised the work of FUFA towards promoting women football and was spot on as he made shout outs to the Government of Uganda for all the efforts of developing football in Uganda.
“I thank the Government of Uganda for all the support and efforts undertaken to develop football in Uganda. It is a special honour to hold the Mama Becca women tournament, an event that has grown through the leaps and bounds. Keep the focus as we work for more organized future events” Kalibala said in his speech as he represented the FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo.
Entebbe member of parliament, Rose Mary Tumusiime called upon increased participation of the girl child in the activities of women football development in the country.
Representing the family of the late Mama Becca were the daughters – Mariam Ssempijja and Slyvia Nalumu who sang special praise of the federation for honouring their beloved mother, 9 years since she departed this earth.
“We are grateful of this gesture. Keep up the good work, FUFA. Our mother loved football with all her heart” Ssempijja noted.
Speaker after speaker praised the good deeds of Mamma Becca who was praised for the exceptional love and work.
Paul Ssali, another pioneer of women football in Uganda praised Mama Becca in a special way for the commitment in starting women football in Uganda.
In the curtain raiser match played before the main finals at the Kiwafu Play ground, Ex-Crested Cranes internationals defeated Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) Ladies 2-0.
Hadijah Namuyanja, also the FUFA Women Football Development officer and Jinja based Erina Kalya scored for the Ex-Crested Cranes team.
This was the 5th time that the Mama Becca Women memorial tournament was being held since 2012.
