The Aliguma Foundation were once again recipients of an assortment of soccer kit, equipment and sporting gear from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Foundation For Children.
Let's Make An Impact: CEO Ritah Aliguma (C) flanked by Aliguma Foundation's Administrator Joan Acengo (R) and a Tiger Academy youngster show off different soccer kit.
The received equipment includes 400 footballs, marker cones, goal-keeping gloves, bib carry and wash bags, pop-up goals, coloured bibs, training and match whistles, ball pumps and training goal nets among others.
The equipment was, earlier this week, handed over to Aliguma Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ritah Aliguma who flanked by the non-profit making foundation’s Administrator Joan Acengo at the foundation’ stores in Kamwokya, one of the many ghetto suburbs of Kampala City with many slum dwellers.
More equip, More beneficiaries
Over the years, Aliguma, who is the former Uganda Sports Press Association (Uspa) vice president, has shown her special affinity for young children in sports.
What A Ball Can Do! Aliguma Foundation CEO Ritah Aliguma (2nd R) is joined by the foundation's volunteers to sort teh goodies received from both UNHCR and UEFA.
And aside currently helping children from the slums of Acholi Quarters in Nakawa Division live a decent life through sports, she has donated most of the equipment she receives from UEFA to youth soccer tournament organisers with Mukono-based Genesis Academy being the most recent recipients of footballs, cones, movable goals and bibs, among others.
“It’s a great experience for the kids to receive modern and trendy kits from UEFA through us (Aliguma Foundation). It sets their careers rolling in the right manner from the start. The youth playing soccer are reminders that we should all embrace where dreams begin from and forthwith support them,” said Ritah Aliguma while looking back at the need to ensure the equipment trickles down to more than just one academy or specified community.
Lasting impact
Acholi Quarters – the place where Aliguma Foundation started its journey in 2017 – continues to be a beneficiary of UEFA’s kind gesture with the Annual Slums Soccer Tournament now in its sixth edition.
First Recipients: Aliguma Foundation Founder Ritah Aliguma hands over training bibs and balls to Ismail Mukoiko, the LC III Councillor of Banda Zone B - the home of Acholi Quarters.
“We thank UEFA Foundation for Children for their continued support and for believing in us to be their ambassadors in making an impact in Uganda. We are grateful for the generous offer of such standard sports equipment. As always it will have a lasting impact on the youngsters who are just getting their careers started,” added Ritah Aliguma.
Balls & Balls: A toddler admires a collection of balls donated by UEFA at the distribution ceremony to different vulnerable communities' elders conducted by Aliguma Foundation.
Currently Aliguma Foundation is pushing for the renewal of the UEFA Sports For Resilience & Empowerment Project (SREP) grant as it strives to positively change and impact lives through sports and enterprise.