Schools’ Alumni football leagues in Uganda are traditionally played on Sundays across various venues in the country but majorly in Kampala. This idea has been around for about a decade and it’s the major highlight of Sunday soccer in the country.
However, using their 2023 UEFA Champions League (UCL) campaign, Pepsi has brought schools engaged in alumni football together by picking the top four from selected school leagues to create a league of champions to mirror the UCL. The event is called “The Schools Alumni Champions League.”
According to Pepsi Brand Manager, Ernest Ssentongo, they have already started with eight schools, that is; Kings College Budo, Ntare School, Mbarara High School, Kibuli SSS, Namugongo SSS, Ndejje SSS, St. Henry’s Kitovu and Makerere College.
“The Schools’ Alumni Champions League is played in the same evening the UEFA Champions League matches are played. After the local games here, we switch focus to the UCL action on TV and people will be socializing at the same time. This is something that is very exciting are we are glad to be doing it,” Ssentongo told the media during a press briefing on Wednesday at Fast Sports Fusion in Bugolobi, Kampala.
The previous event of the Schools’ Alumni Champions League was held at Legends Grounds in Kampala and the next one will be held during the next round of UCL matches. The final of the Schools’ Alumni Champions League will be played towards the final of the UCL.
However, Crown Beverages Limited (CBL) who are the makers of Pepsi have revealed that they have injected UGX 1.6bn into the UEFA Champions League campaign which will run under the crown campaign.
The campaign dubbed “Thirsty for more” will see fans win prizes like T-shirts, caps, headphones, string bags, sodas and the like. Under the crown campaign will go hand in hand with the Schools’ Alumni Champions League as activations will be happening every UCL night.
Customers intending to win prizes are urged to look out for 300ml returnable glass Pepsi bottle and the 330ml Pepsi max PET bottle.
The crown campaign will feature FIFA World Cup winner Lionel Messi and Vinicius Jr who was the scorer in last season’s final as his side Real Madrid beat Liverpool to hoist their 14th title.
