The inaugural edition of the FUFA Primary Schools championship (ODILO) has reached the closing stages with the draws for the quarter final held on Wednesday.
With the different regional winners already known, the stage is set as eight teams will compete for the ultimate prize between 4th – 7thAugust 2019 at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, Buikwe District.
Each of the eight FUFA regions will have a representative; Green Valley Primary School (Mbarara, Western), Citizen Parents Primary School (Makindye, Kampala), Bright Valley Primary School (Gulu, Northern) Oasis Annex Primary School (Arua, West Nile) Busumbu Primary School (Manafwa, Eastern), Rays of Grace Primary School (Buikwe, Buganda) Tooro Boarding Primary School (Kabarole, Kitara) and God’s Grace Primary School (Serere, North East).
FUFA President, Moses Magogo who graced the draw function believes this is a tournament that will help in the growth and development of players at a tender age.
“It is one thing to dream of an idea but another to fulfill that dream. As FUFA, we are proud of what the Uganda Sports Secondary Schools Associations (USSSA) are doing at that level but we thought it was important to have a competition for the primary schools” said Magogo during the draw at Fufa House in Mengo.
The President stressed that Odilo will help in the multiplier effect because more people will get involved.
“It is important to cultivate interest for young people at this level. Besides, there will be more involvement of coaches, players and parents through this tournament. It is a beginning but we are excited about the first edition” he added
The championship started with competitions at the district level with 62 of the 95 District Football Associations taking part.
From the district level, the winners at the respective districts qualified for the regional championship. Eastern region had the biggest participation with 14 districts taking part.
A total of 375 schools from 62 districts featured in the inaugural edition with about 12,000 pupils taking part as players in 740 matches.
In addition, the tournament has had 500 referees officiating games from the district to the regional level.
National Finals to be played between 4th -7th August 2019 at FUFA Technical Centre Njeru. Finalists will represent Uganda in FEASSA games in Tanzania
FUFA to facilitate all teams (Transport, Accommodation, meals, Team jerseys and balls)
The Championship is code-named Odilo – meaning a ball in the Alur and Luo communities.
Fixtures: Match Day One (Sunday, 4th August 2019)
Match 1: Green Valley Primary School Vs Bright Valley Primary School
Match 2: Citizen Parents Primary School Vs Rays of Grace Primary School
Match 3: God’s Grace Primary School Vs Busumbu Primary School
Match 4: Oasis Annex Primary School Vs Tooro Boarding Primary School
