Its Now ARS: North & West Nile Qualifiers

Saturday & Sunday, 12th & 13th September 2015

At Pece Stadium, Gulu

Two West Nile rival youth teams, Onduparaka Young and Arua Central once again get the chance to wedge ‘guns’ towards each other when the 5th Airtel Rising stars regional qualifiers come to a close this weekend.

The battlefield has been set already at the neutral Pece Stadium in Gulu where 14 other teams in the regions of West Nile and the North will lock horns in the two day’s event.

Onduparaka Young stars’ head coach, Allan Kabonge believes his troops have the impetus and edge over the rest of the team ahead of the championship.

We are ready for the tournament since we trained well. We do not fear any side in the tourney because we are already champions

This will also mark last regional qualifiers for the 5th edition of the U-17 youth football tournament dubbed ‘Its Now’ for the West Nile and Northern regions.

Prominent youth Northern Uganda teams from the host district of Gulu, Kitgum and Lira will take part in the two day meet.

FUFA Technical Director, Asuman Lubowa confirms;

All preparations for the final qualifiers in Gulu have been well laid as we have already confirmed 16 teams from all the West Nile and Northern FUFA regions. We expect a competitive championship where more talents will continue to be spotted and nurtured to become future stars”

This follows the successful completion of regional qualifiers in Kampala, Buganda, Kitara, Western, Eastern and North East regions.

Prizes:

The top 2 teams per gender are each given a brand new set of airtel branded jersey, with the winners taking gold medals and the runners taking silver.

The winners pocket U.shs 1M as the runners up take U.shs 500,000.

There are certificates of participation accorded to each of the participating teams.

Individual excelling personalities (Top Scorer and Most Valuable players) are rewarded with plaques and medals.

It is now 5 years since Airtel Uganda has been funding the project meant to be played by players  under 17 years of age.

The programme has witnessed the nurturing of successful players in the shape of Farouk Miya (now a regular with the Uganda Cranes) and U-23 players – Kezironi Kizito and Martin Kizza.

The National Finals:

The national finals shall be played in the week leading to 31st October 2015 at Mbarara.

After the national finals, a select side of Uganda will be picked in Mbarara to represent the country at the Airtel Rising Stars African championships.

All 2015 Airtel Rising Stars Regional Winners:

Kampala:

Boys – Kabowa Youth

Girls – Gadaffi Integrated School

Buganda:

Boys – Nakaseke International

Girls – Mukono High School

Western Region:

Boys – Young Simba

Girls – Sentah College

Kitara Region:

Boys – Masindi Youth

Girls – Mpanga S.S
Eastern Region:

Boys: Pallisa Youth

Girls: High Way, Sironko
North- East Region:

Boys: Light High School, Soroti

Girls: Olila High School, Amuria

David Isabirye is a senior staff writer for Kawowo Sports where he covers most of the major events.

Leave a comment

Please let us know what you think