Slums Soccer Tournament set for rousing finale

Main Final – 4pm
—NBA Shooting Stars vs Nakawa Boys

A show of thrills and frills is on the cards for the seventh edition of the Banda Slums Soccer Tournament at the Acholi Quarters Playground this Sunday – January 22, 2023.

The word busy will be redefined with a beehive of activities lined up on the day starting from 9am until the early evening hours with a glittering closing and awards ceremony that will be graced by a galaxy of dignitaries from slum-dwellers’ communities and those in the corridors of power in Uganda’s sporting circles.

Ismail Mukoiko, the L.C III Councillor Banda Parish Zone, who is also the tournament organiser in partnership with The Aliguma Foundation, noted that the main final between NBA Shooting Stars and Nakawa Boys will kick off at 4pm.

*New winner

For the first time since the inception of the tournament, there will be a new winner. The two most dominant sides; defending champions Acholi Quarters-based Tigers FC and mainstay finalists Luigi FC will miss out on the coveted finals for the first time, too.

NBA Shooting Stars boast of the bragging rights of ejecting Tigers FC 5-4 on penalties after the two sides’ semi final duel ended 0-0 in normal time.

Little-known Nakawa Boys also made it to the coveted final whose winner will take home a cow, trophy, medals and an undisclosed cash prize.

Their claim to fame was dislodging Luigi FC in post-match penalties and will take lots of discipline for them to tame the much fancied NBA Shooting Stars.

*Players to watch

Goalkeeper Wafula, midfielder Otim, defender Jakisa plus the striking pair of Odongo and Ezra will be the go-to-men for the NBA Shooting Stars. Nakawa FC’s captain Fazil Chizo will look to dictate the pace of the match from the middle of the pack with the help of defender Bonney and striker Job Owori.

There will also be interesting subplots and scores to settle between the coaches; the pair of Sulaiman Hamza of Nakawa and NBA’s Suspect Atyang.

The runners-up consolation prize will be a goat, medals and a set of jerseys whereas the third and fourth place finishers will take home balls and a set of jerseys apiece.

*Cocktail of activities

A band will get it all started as the Aliguma Foundation continue to push and preach their campaigns against the abuse of the girl-child (Ndi Mwana – The Cry of A Girl Child), Stop Drug Abuse and Women Empowerment as well as taking the little ones back to school.

The purpose of the foundation is to primarily continue transforming communities through sports and enterprise. The elders of the village will play a curtain raiser at 10am with a netball finale between Blue Wave and Hilton. Blue Wave defeated Definition 38-32 in the semifinals whereas Hilton overwhelmed Bukasa 59-13.

The women’s game will be played 30 minutes per half – same as the U-14 boys finals whereas the U-13 boys game will be played over 20 minutes per half with the men’s final going the entire duration of 45 minutes.

*Expected Guests