The sport which was inaugurated six years ago in Uganda continues apace and has steadied its feet.
A visit to countries like South Africa and Brazil can show how the game is as dominant as any other sport is on the local scene.
The highly growing but still little-known sport was launched in 2009 courtesy of the then FUFA president Lawrence Mulidwa, and has since attracted both fans and stakeholders to devote to it as the FUFA delegate in charge of Beach soccer articulated to Kawowo Sports.
Beach soccer was never recognized in the country. It started off as a disco (clubs) game in which night clubs like AngeNior, TinkaNansana, Afro club Kasagati, Samuel courts, and many more used to take part but the game has elevated into big thing. First and fore most we have the commanding pillars of a successful sport, that is the Governing body (UBSA), the National league (both men and women), the National team and official sponsors (Pepsi).
Tumwesigye further talked about the structures of the sport put in place to push the game to greater heights.
The 16 team league is going on smoothly at Lido beach and its progress has been evidenced by the big turn up fans. The Corporate challenge is in place. The Uganda Cup will be played and promotional championships are also in existence. All that make the sport worth investing in.
The association will for the first time this year organize two tournaments. The Copa East Africa (clubs) in July and the Copa East Africa for National teams in December.
2014 will go down as very memorable in the History books because the sand sport saw great achievements from the board room down to the pitch.
In August of 2014, Pepsi extended their sponsorship deal by two years’ worth of 300 million in its contract to facilitate the 16 team league.
Fast forward to one month thereafter, the National team (Sand cranes) played an international friendly with Zanzibar which they won 5-4.
The historic match was the first of a kind for the National side.
The beach soccer fraternity wrapped up last year on a high note as three Beach soccer referees in Ivan Bayige Kintu, Shafic Mugerwa and Ssenteza Mohammed were given FIFA badges.
The sand cranes will soon play their qualifiers for the African nation’s tournament slated for Seychelles this year in April.
The two finalists in the aforementioned tourney will automatically qualify for the World cup.
Beach soccer profile:
The game was officially launched in 2009 by the then FUFA president Lawrence Mulidwa with Sonny Bony-the one in charge of beach soccer in Africa.
Beach soccer is under football meaning it abides with the rules and regulations of FUFA.
It has two slots on the FUFA delegates committee.
The prevailing governing body (UBSA) was initially called Uganda Beach Soccer clubs Association.
It started as a ‘disco competition’ with clubs like Silk,AngeNior,Tinka Nansana, Samuel courts Nakawa, Kabowa high, Afro-club Kasagati.
Nansana based club Tinka were the first champions before the top league came in to existence.
The association has several events namely. Beach soccer 16 team league (Men) which consists of the Monsoon and Hurikken groups.
The league is officially sponsored by Crown Beverages under its flagship brand Pepsi.
Female league (Female championship)
University Beach soccer Challenge (MUBS are current champions)
Post primary championship.
Youth under 13 championships (URA are current champions)
Uganda Cup Corporate challenge (New vision are reigning champions, 3 times)
Promotional championship (Second tier League).
Games are usually played at Lido beach Entebbe.
Sand cranes skipper Derrick Tekko plays for YMCA and was the first player to score the National team goal when the sand cranes beat Zanzibar 5-4 in an away game.
Last season’s champions-Kira Young were disqualified from this campaign for failure to honour their match day fixture against Nkumba select.