Giant Youth Football Academy attains prominence from inaugural Holiday camp

The first ever holiday camp for young footballers between 13 to 18 years is currently on-going at the Kids Pioneer school in Kawuku – Bugiri, Katabi Town Council, Wakiso District.

This camp is organized by Giant Youth Football Academy (GYFA) as a platform to identify, nurture and expose young talented footballers.

Over twenty players are engaged in daily training session under the head coach Alex Kizito, assistant Abel Ssemanda, goalkeeping coach Cissy Nakiguba and team doctor, Victoria Baganja.

Ibrahim Jjuuko, the team captain of this academy is humbled for the training they have been offered.

I want to thank our parents and guardians who have sponsored us through this camp. Also, I thank our coaches for the work well done. We have been able to learn and polish several football skills, cooperating among each other through teamwork drills.

Ibrahim Jjuuko, team captain Giant Youth Football Academy (GYFA)

The camp head Kizito believes a lot has been achieved in the duration of this camp.

We have been able to teach the children football and life skills. Basics as ball control, passing, shooting, heading, anticipation, vision and others have been trained. Also, there have been counseling sessions for these children from professional counselors about morals and good conduct.

Alex Kizito, Director, Giant Youth Football Academy (GYFA)

The Giant Youth Football Academy runs under the theme-line “Soccer Affection” with the core values of discipline, developing talents, academics, connections (school bursaries) as well as charity and essential support.

The academy mission is “Through love of the game and our innovative football philosophy, we inspire children to reach their personal goals”.

We believe in developing a first-class soccer academy that will provide the skills for everyone to succeed in soccer world.

Vision of Giant Youth Football Academy (GYFA)

Achievements:

Giant Youth Football Academy has been able to cooperate with the parents who entrust them with the children.

Good citizens are being built through discipline, talent and the love for one another.

There are guidance and counselling sessions to help in the well-being of the children as well as bridging the gap between parents and schools as Mivule Primary School – Kisubi, Trinity Senior Academy – Bwebajja, Kyadondo Secondary School – Matugga, Elite High School – Kisubi, Kisubi Mapeera – Kisubi and St Mary’s Kitende, among others.

Success stories:

A number of players have graduated to the Wakiso Giants senior and junior teams as well as national U-17 and U-20 sides.

These include goalkeeper Kenneth Lukuya, Ronald Madoyi, Marvin Mukiibi, Habib Oloya and Kim Wandera, among others.

Challenges:

The academy encompasses a number of challenges ranging from inadequate funding, termination of bursaries from schools, inadequate tools and materials to use (vehicles, training equipment (balls, kits, balls), camera, home ground and human resource), limited sponsorships for the children.

Going forward:

To mitigate some of the limitations, the academy seeks sponsorships to facilitate the smooth running.

These will carter for financial demands to the children, provide basic needs to the children, educate them, provide equipment, provide more visibility for the academy (advertisement and publicity) and ease of transportation for the children.

Giant Youth Football Academy seeks for a partner school to be the home ground, more schools to provide scholarships to the talented students and businesswise, the academy needs more connections to the sell their brand to the populous.