Airtel Rising Stars IV National Finals:
In Fort Portal (Buhinga, Boma & St Leos Kyegobe Grounds)
26th– 30th June 2014
Airtel Rising Stars football chief scout, Phillip Obwinyi asserts the youth structures in any system remains the basic foundation for the development of football in the country.
“Sure, proper youth football structures world over has bore fruits to great football products”, Obwinyi told Kawowo Sports in an exclusive interview.
The former Uganda Cranes International has been over the years working with the Airtel Rising Stars U-17 football programme to identify, nurture and counsel promising young footballers across the entire country.
Youth Programmes elsewhere:
Obwinyi cites examples of Countries from the West and on the African continent who invested in the youth a while ago and now reaping the ripe fruits.
“Look at nations like Brazil,England, Belgium, Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia and many others, they gave the youth development programmes a priority and today, they are reaping big”, he added.
Duties as a scout:
Since the Airtel Rising Stars started 4 years ago, the former SC Villa, Express and URA player has been working with the programme that he says have helped many youngsters realize the potential they have.
“My work as a football scout never stops at simply identifying the talented boys, I move an extra mile to guide them through conduct, morals and other aspects of lifestyle elements”, he said.
Towards the kick off of the 4th season national finals at Fort Portal this week, Obwinyi, is set to keep a keen eye on the emerging talents.
He will be working with coaches, Frank ‘Video’ Anyau (of Baza Holdings), Harunah Kebba (Kira Young) and another former Cranes International, Hakim ‘Boda Boda’ Magumba.
The girls’ scouts are Uganda Crested Cranes ladies’ head coach, Majidah Nantandah, U-20 assistant Coach, Christine Wanyana and Hadijah Namuyanja.
The 2014 Groups at National Finals:
Girls:
GROUP A: Western, West Nile, Kampala and Buganda
GROUP B: Kitara, Eastern, Northern and North East
Boys:
GROUP A: Kitara, West Nile, North East and Northern
GROUP B: Kampala, Buganda, Eastern and Western
