FUFA Drum tournament
Weekend fixtures
July 6
Busoga vs Rwenzori, Bugembe
Kampala vs Tooro, Wankuluku
Buganda vs Sebei, Luwero
Ankole vs Lango, Ntungamo
July 7
West Nile vs Karamoja, Arua
Acholi vs Bunyoro, Gulu
Bukedi vs Kigezi, Butaleja
Bugisu vs Teso, Mbale
Three provinces made their way to the quarterfinal stage as the 2019 FUFA Drum tournament returned last weekend with a bang. Twenty three (23) goals were scored from the eight fixtures at different grounds with the Lango-Buganda fixture registering a tournament record fans attendance.
As the action returns this weekend, Buganda, who completed a double over Lango with a 1-0 win courtesy of Vianey Ssekajugo, already confirmed their place at the quarters last weekend alongside Bukedi and Acholi.
Bukedi held Teso 1-1 away while Acholi were 3-2 away winners over Karamoja. Despite the loss in front of passionate massive home crowd, Lango Paramount chief Yosam Odur was happy with the other side of the FUFA Drum tournament.
The cultural leader, who graced the game before hosting FUFA officials at his residence, revealed that the tournament has brought back bonding in the Lango people as they unite to support their province.
“The people come together for a common cause and this helps to create bonding and unity. My Lango people were great footballers but recently, we had slid back. I am happy for this FUFA Drum tournament which will give my people opportunity to showcase their talent and may be in the long run we shall see players at big clubs locally and internationally,” noted the paramount Chief, who also hailed FUFA for naming the newly introduced primary school tournament ‘Odilo’ which means football in Lango, Alur and Luo communities.
“This shows that FUFA recognizes our culture. The Odilo tournament will also go a long way in selling our culture and traditions as ‘Odilo’ will come with massive history to share with outside community. I am very happy,” he added.
The ‘Odilo’ tournament that was launched in May this year is already underway with both district and regional qualifiers, according to FUFA second Vice President Darius Mugoye, who also doubles as the tournament national organizing committee chairman.
“Some district football associations (DFA) are done with qualifiers and the regional qualifiers are on. Each DFA winner gets three balls and a trophy as well as a ticket to represent the DFA to regional level. Each of the eight FUFA regions will send the regional champion to the national finals at the FUFA technical center in Njeru later this year,” noted Mugoye.
Over 400 primary schools are partaking in the qualifiers of this U15 tournament.
