Pan African Championship: Kawempe, Kitende Flagged Off to Zanzibar to Fight for USD 300k CAF Money
The flag-off ceremony for the Ugandan teams representing the CECAFA Region at the CAF Pan African Schools Football Championship was conducted by the Commissioner of Physical Education, Rev. Canon Duncan Mugumya.
Rev. Can. Duncan Mugumya Commissioner Physical Education and Sports, who was also the chief guest at the ceremony urged the teams to maintain discipline and make Uganda proud.
“Go and do your very best! I urge you to keep disciplined because whatever you do in Zanzibar will be credited to Uganda, not your schools,” he added
David Katende, Assistant General Secretary of the National Council of Sports, also addressed the teams where he emphasized Uganda’s big expectations in the travelling teams.
“Uganda is no longer a participant in international championships but a competitor. We only expect that you are going to give us good results because we know you are very talented.
Hajji Lwembawo Hussein, Leader of Delegation, praised the progress made in international engagements. “In the past, it was rare to see schools go outside the country for international engagements, but under your tenure, it has become a usual thing.
I would like to appreciate NCS, FUFA because we go to CAF through the Football Federation. We are going there as champions, and we should come back as champions!”
The teams received a warm send off, with officials and stakeholders expressing confidence in their abilities. The CAF Pan African Schools Football Championship is a premier youth football competition, and Uganda’s participation is a testament to the country’s growing talent and investment in football development.
“We have got enough from our coaches, we’re going to Zanzibar with no pressure, we’re the CECAFA region champions, we hope to be the champions again for continent.” Said Kawempe Muslim SS captain, Nabalanzi Tracy.
The two teams heading to Zanzibar on Sunday and Monday, Kawempe Muslim and St Mary’s Kitende respectively are the CECAFA region champions.
Prior to the Pan African continental championship, each team won 100,000 US dollars (370,000,000/-) and the winner of the continental championship will walk away with 300,000 US dollars, silver medalist will go with 200,000 USD and the bronze winner will level Zanzibar with 150,000 USD.
This is the first time Uganda is featuring in the new Idea logical championship initiated by CAF president.
The delegation of over 50 people, 15 players and five officials from Kawempe, 20 players and seven officials from St Mary’s Kitende, officials from USSSA, School Headteachers association, referee and media attachés is under the leadership of Hajji Hussein Kyagulanyi Lwembaawo.
The first batch is leaving on Sunday and the last contingent involving Kawempe Muslim will depart on Monday and all are boarding Uganda Airlines.