Big Boost: UNHCR Representative Joel Boutroue (L) has continued to partner Aliguma Foundation for the Annual Slums Soccer Tournament that is in its sixth edition.
TODAY’S FIXTURES Semifinals – U-16 Boys Young Stars AQ vs. Kiganda FC
Ubuntu FC vs. Tiger Junior FC
Semifinals - Women
Kiganda FC vs AQ I
Women of Purpose vs. AQ II
Semifinals - Men
NB vs. Kawenja
Mbuya vs. Tiger FC
The sixth edition of the Annual Slums Soccer Tournament is scheduled for this Saturday, January 15th, 2022 at Acholi Quarters Playground in Banda Zone B1, Nakawa Division – Kampala City.
Girls Wanna Have Fun: NB of Acholi Quarters in action against Mbuya Slum FC during the preliminary round of Annual Slums Soccer Tournament in December 2021.
The tournament started on December 1st, 2021 with six women’s teams,14 Under-16 Boys’ outfits and 26 men’s sides competing in the preliminary round. For this year, the coronavirus- hampered tournament is set to witness a grand finale never seen before.
“We have had a good turnout of 46 teams this year. It is without surprise that Acholi Quarters, who registered 16 teams, have dominated the knockout phaseacross the three categories. But this would not have been possible without our partners, sponsors and well-wishers,” noted Aliguma Foundation (AF)’s Founder Ritah Aliguma.
Prizes; a cow and goats have been added to the menu to complement trophies, medals and sets of jerseys for the winning teams and losing finalists. A galaxy of special dignitaries from the Italian Embassy, United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Ministry of Kampala and Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) are expected to attend the business end of the tournament.
A cocktail of action is lined-up for today's semi-final duels. In the latest category of Under 16 Boys; Young Stars take on Kiganda FC in the first semifinal before Ubuntu FC lock horns with Tiger Junior FC. Kiganda FC will once again be in the mix against Acholi Quarters I and it will be followed by a contest between Women of Purpose and Acholi Quarters II in the women’s semifinals.
Full House: Aliguma Foundation officials; Joan Achieng (L) and CEO Ritah Aliguma (2nd L) have been able to host UNHCR Representative Joel Boutroue (2nd R) and the area's L.C III Councillor Ismail Mukoiko (R) for some of the men's games that attracted a packed gallery.
The much-coveted men’s semifinals will crown the day with Acholi Quarters’ NB exchanging pleasantries with Naguru’s Kawenja FC before Mbuya Slums FC fights to knockout defending champions Tiger, also of Acholi Quarters.
“This is our biggest edition,” said Ismail Mukoiko, the L.C III Councillor of Banda Zone B1. “The prize structure is exciting and the teams will be fighting to win it all. Covid-19 has hampered us and some teams will lose players since some children have gone back to school. But slums are always full of talent and be sure to witness only thrilling matches.”
The U-16 Boys and Women matches will last 25 minutes per half whereas the Men’s matches will last the entire 90 minutes and post-match penalties will be embraced by both sides if there is a stalemate after regular time.
UEFA Foundation through their Sports and Resilience Empowerment Project (SREP) are the primary partners with AF for this annual showpiece.
Hunted Men: Defending champions Tiger FC are still in the fray but they must see off Mbuya Slum FC in today's epic semifinal at Acholi Quarters Playground.
Former Champions – Men
2021: Tiger FC
2020: Luigi Slum
2019:Luigi Slum
2018:Kiganda Slum
2017:Kawenja Slum