Season 4 of the Airtel Rising stars kicks off in Soroti and Masindi
Masindi Winners: Premier s.s (Boys and Girls)
Soroti Winners: AS Roma (Girls) and Amuria Crane City (Boys)
As the Season 4 of the Airtel Rising Stars U-17 football tourney successfully kicked off over the weekend, FUFA technical director, Asuman Lubowa, who watched the games live in Soroti was left awed by the massive talents of the youngsters.
“This is great for football development. We at FUFA are keenly looking at such grass root programmes to help nurture and follow up the awesome talented youngsters”, Lubowa said.
There was action in the FUFA regions of Eastern and Western at the Soroti and Masindi grounds respectively.
Masindi stadium and Boma grounds hosted the Bunyoro Kitara region that totaled to over 30 boys and girls teams.
Frank Video Anyau alongside Christine Wanyana (girls) and Hakim Magumba (boys) were the chief scouts in Masindi.
In Soroti, Hadija Namuyanja a.k.a Lady Mourinho and Phillip Obwinyi were the chief girls and boys scouts respectively.
“Airtel Rising Stars and The Airtel Africa Championship are committed to growing grassroots football in Africa. We believe emphatically that nurturing young talent is the means by which we will ensure the foundations of the game in this country stay strong.” Airtel’s Noella Byuma who was in Masindi said.
Airtel Money Soroti area zonal manager, Joseph Okolot commended the tourney.
“The tournament builds capacity for sports officials while offering quality entertainment, excitement and fun to millions of soccer loving fans across the nation, especially the youth.” said Okolot.
Each winning team received Ug.shs 1,000,000, winners’ gold medals with a trophy while the runners’ up got Ug.shs 300,000 each.
Each of the two finalists got a brand new pair of uniforms while individual excelling players were rewarded with different prizes.
Each of the regions will come up with one strong team of 16 members each who will compete at the national finals in Fort Portal between 26th – 30th June 2014.
The next regional qualifiers will be held at Luwero and Arua play grounds this weekend (23rd – 25th May 2014).
Airtel Uganda is the official sponsor of the Uganda Cranes football team.
Photo: FUFA technical director, Asuman Lubow (right) with chief scout Harunah Kebba watching the Airtel Rising Stars in Soroti district over the weekend.
Photo credits: BluFlamingo
