Uganda’s football governing body FUFA has today launched the Primary Schools Championship and named it ‘Odilo’.
The Championship is code-named Odilo – meaning a ball in the Alur and Luo communities.
The tournament was launched by the Under Secretary Ministry of Education and Sports Aggrey David Kibenge, who was Chief Guest, together with the FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo in a press conference at FUFA House in Mengo on Wednesday morning.
Magogo noted that it is the federation’s strategy to achieve its Vision of becoming the number one football nation in Africa on and off the field.
“We can only achieve our vision by following procedures laid down for developing grassroots football. There is no shortcut to football development. We take responsibility to create the category of U15 so that we can track these players.” Magogo noted
“The top clubs in Europe can only recruit players at the age of 17 to take them to the academies and prepare them for the bigger stage. Uganda is endowed with plenty of talent which is diverse. The new Championship unveiled today is looking at the categorisation of the players below the age of thirteen years,” the FUFA boss added.
Kibenge expressed his delight to witness the ceremony and applauded FUFA under Magogo’s leadership for the milestones achieved so far in Ugandan football during his tenure so far.
“I thank God for this morning of unveiling such a wonderful football product. It is a game changer. I would like to congratulate FUFA and Eng. Moses Magogo for the vision to Ugandan football and all the milestones achieved. It is a project that was overdue.” The Under Secretary Ministry of Education and Sports said.
“I am glad that FUFA will take the lead charge in the competitions and technical expertise will be applied. Such competitions have values attached to them but need technical expertise which FUFA provides. We shall engage all stakeholders to take part and I speak with authority that the Ministry will support these competitions.” He added
Registration is in progress and 400 primary schools have already confirmed participation. Deadline for registration is Wednesday 15th May 2019.
The Championship will kick off 5th June 2019 at various grounds to determine District Champions before they feature at the Regional level.
The National Finals will be played by the eight Regional Primary Schools Winners at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.
A committee to be headed by FUFA 1st Vice President Justus Mugisha, will be in charge of the championship. It also has the 2nd Vice President at FUFA Darius Mugoye, Hajji Abdu Sekabira Lukooya, John Bosco Masiko, Farouk Kigongo and one representative from the Ministry of Education and Sports.
