The CECAFA Women’s U20 Championship will officially come to a climax on Tuesday, 9th November 2021 at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru after 12 days of thrilling action.
With Ethiopia and hosts Uganda contending for the title, the final day of the tournament promises even better.
The Chairperson Local Organizing Committee, Hon. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi and CECAFA CEO, Aucka Gecheo briefed the press ahead of the climax.
Below is the statement from the Chairperson LOC;
Monday 8th November 2021
CLOSING CEREMONY: STATEMENT BY CHAIRPERSON LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE CECAFA
WOMEN UNDER 20 CHAMPIONSHIP
Fellow County men and women,
Over the last 13 days, young women footballers and coaches have amazed us with skill, talent,
passion, goals and tactics in the CECAFA Women’s U20 Championship at the FUFA Technical
Centre, Njeru.
The tournament has been a huge success and the highest levels of competitiveness were
exhibited by all the participating six National Teams; Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Eritrea,
Burundi and Djibouti.
Great memories have been created due to the experience of the Local Organizing Committee
who made sure that the stay of the Delegations and teams is very comfortable.
The solidarity shown by both the Local and the CECAFA Organizing Committee has brought us
this far. Football is indeed a team sport.
We have another big day coming up on Tuesday 9th November 2021 for the closing ceremony
of the CECAFA Women’s U20 Championship. It is a day where One Country will be declared
Champion but I believe every team is a winner irrespective of the final table standings.
As the tournament comes to a conclusion; We would like to extend our sincere appreciation and support given to us by the Government of Uganda. During the current covid-19 times, we have been supported by the various
Government Agencies and Ministries to make sure that we have a smooth tournament.
We have not had any serious incidents that could have led to cancellation of the tournament. We thank the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Mama Janet Museveni for her ever increasing interest in sports especially of the girl child. We received her tweet congratulating the Uganda Women U20 team and we didn’t take it lightly. It is a big indicator that she has been following the tournament and supporting women football.
I also thank the CECAFA President, CECAFA Member Association Presidents, CECAFA Executive Director, Delegations and Participating Teams, CECAFA Women U20 Organizing Committee, and The Local Organizing Committee and Members of the Media.
The two host FUFA football regions Buganda and Eastern have done a tremendous job as well. I would like to thank the authorities in Jinja and Njeru at all levels, in particular the Mayor of Njeru Town Council, Mayor of Jinja City and the RPC Jinja for their steadfast commitment during the tournament. Thank you for staying with us.
With the teams set to play the final matches and fly back home, I believe they have enjoyed their stay in Njeru and Jinja. You have contributed a lot to the economy of the country and improved the sports tourism. Jinja, as a new City and source of the mighty River Nile have also done a tremendous job.
The FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim and CECAFA President Mr. Wallace Karia, thank you so much for supporting Uganda’s bid to host this Championship. All officials both from CECAFA and Local, you have been a great team which is a clear testimony that Uganda is ready to host other tournaments of a similar nature or even Continental Championships.
Once again special gratitude goes to the FUFA President and his Executive whose backing enabled us to host this tournament. His guidance and stewardship is the reason for the success of the Tournament. This is not to mention the CECAFA President who was here in person to support all the women teams.
I also thank the parents who have sacrificed to offer their girls to play football. Many of them have gone through various schools that have played a key role in both educating and giving the girl child every opportunity to realize their football dreams.
With women football growing at a faster rate, we encourage the Government to start considering
paying players and coaches of the various female National teams and to re-finance and
resource women football.
I encourage more women to join football the fact that a good number of best football players in
the world are women. We want to see many stars come out of the region and we have the
strong belief that the game is on a steady growth in the CECAFA region.
Even with the Covid-19 times still on, we hope to have a colorful closing ceremony that will be
graced by high profile dignitaries from the CECAFA Region and within Uganda, National Council
of Sports, the CECAFA top brass, CECAFA Member Association Presidents, the Special envoy
to the President and former Vice President Rt. Hon. Edward Ssekandi Kiwanuka will attend the
final ceremony.
Let us join efforts as we all plan for the grand finale of the CECAFA Women’s U20
Championship tomorrow. Members of the general public are encouraged to watch the final day of the tournament on UBC and online FUFA TV live stream.
The Local Organizing Committee, kudos for making the tournament a success. We have one more day to end what has been a beautiful 13 days of great football and organization at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.
Source: FUFA website.
