Mutalaga Christmas Cup eighth edition Launched as Tournament Proprietor Appreciates Media in a Special Way
By: kayiirajackson@gmail.com
The eighth edition of the popular Christmas Cup dubbed Mutalaga Xmas Tournament has officially launched and it’s set to commence over the weekend with ‘Community shield’ match between the last edition winner and the second runners up.
This community shield cup, acting as a curtain raiser will be played between the reigning winner, DC United and Hot Star FC at Lweza Playground Entebbe Road and the winner will walk away with one million shillings and the losing finalist will take 500,000/- courtesy of Frank Mutalaga the Mutalaga Christmas Cup proprietor.
The business man who saw it important to bring the youth together through football has officially launched the 2024 Mutalaga Christmas Cup and the event was held at Grand Imperial Hotel Kampala where he also thanked media in a special way for the great job they did to promote the tournament especially the seventh edition.
“I thank you (journalists) so much for your generous media exposure, you really helped us, now we can be heard, before I wasn’t a person for the media but people told me, it was long overdue. I am not a politician, I want to confirm this, I don’t have any interest in country leadership, I am here for football and I believe in that line, I am also serving my country. “Frank Mutalaga said while addressing media on Thursday.
Mutalaga who values the work of media in promotion of sports in Uganda stressed that media people need to be involved in the budget like it’s done to other sectors, football associates with.
“There is money in football, and it’s media who brings that money through creating awareness, but it beats my understanding when you promote the game and someone walks away with billions of money and gives none to the media, you are responsible people who have families to look after, that’s why I decided to eat with you the small I have because I know your value.” Mutalaga stressed.
He continued to ask media to teach the game of football to the young ones to love it.
“Let’s keep teaching football, let’s make our kids love football. In a way of boosting this tournament, I included my teams that have experienced coaches and playing staff…. ” He added.
Mutalaga revealed why he opted to have Christmas Cup.
“I started this tournament in remembrance of my Father, I used to have Christmas party at home in Seguku but the idea came to me that; why don’t I gather these youths in the manner of promoting their talents, then I came up with the Christmas Cup idea.” He revealed.
The eighth edition has attracted at least 80 teams from different parts of the country including those from Luweero and Busoga.
“Our tournament is the best besides Masaza, if we can have such a group of Journalists here, I thank you Mutalaga for never letting us down. I continue to thank you for standing with us. Last season was unique but this season, Mr. Frank told us that it’s going to be extra unique. Last season we had 64 teams, and in our tournament each team that registers, wins an envelope of 300,000/-,
For starters, Mr. Mutalaga started this tournament to remember his parents, we started with winning a goat, now it has developed the winner takes a bull, two million shillings and a set of jerseys.
This season we have registered 100 teams, but we decided to have 80, we went through playoffs to get the final 80 those we have grouped. ” Chairperson Mutalaga Cup Katende Tony revealed.
The official tournament will kick off on Monday 8th July 2024 at Lweza Playground with two fixtures:
Jesus FC (Seguku) will take on Kanaaba UTD (Ndejje) at 2pm and St Mary’s FC (Katale) will face off with Professor Buwembo FC (Makindye ) 4pm.
Mutalaga Christmas Cup Previous Winners
2015-Bunamwaya FC
2016-Abbas Tiper
2017-Kibalaza
2018-Dc UTD
2019-Mayinja FC
2022-South Africa
2023- DC UNITED
2024-??