Shooting stars win Slum Soccer tournament as ministers offer cash to the top teams

Excitement gripped the air as the 7th edition of the Aliguma Foundation Banda Slum Soccer tournament came to an end at the Acholi Quarters on Sunday.

Arguably the biggest since inception, the climax attracted two ministers; State Sports Minister Peter Ogwang and Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Hillary Onek; who from what they saw pledged a combined sh5.5m for the winners and runners-up in the main football final between NBA Shooting Stars and Nakawa Boys.

Acholi Quarters U-14 boys team celebrate with their trophy. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Ogwang went one better by promising to fundraise for an artificial turf for the dusty and bare community ground that receives spill-overs from a drainage channel, ‘if the land question’ can be solved. This was after he pledged sh3m (sh2m for the winners and sh1m for the runners-up in the main cup final. Onek chipped in with sh2.5m and told the capacity crowd that they were more important than even those who watch matches at Namboole.

On the pitch, NBA Shooting Stars beat Nakawa Boyz 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw to win the main cup on the bumpy and dusty ground in the match that was partially played under a downpour in the first half.

Goalkeeper Vincent Wafula was the star for shooting stars, saving two penalties in the shootout to help his side to the trophy, a bull, and donated cash. Nakawa walked away with a goat.

NBA Shooting Stars Abdallah Mutete (bare chest) celebrates his goal against Nakawa Boyz. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Eric Muzungu, Robert Okello, Kenneth Mukwaya, and Patrick Otim netted their efforts for the winners while Fazil Fiti, Hillary Sseso, and Abdallah Mutete scored for Nakawa who had Hector Katungulu, and Reagan Mubiru miss their efforts.

David Mugalu and Ezra Emanyu had opened the scoring for NBA before Katungulu and Abdallah Mutete rallied to level matters for Nakawa in the second half.

Hilton’s Joram Lutwama’s sole strike helped his side to the U-13 championship past Acholi Quarters Select while in netball Blue Wave beat Hilton 15-4 Annet Akello and Hanifa Tibenda shared out the goals against their shorter opponents who had Patricia Nyangoma netting theirs.

The sports gala was organized under the theme: Ndi Mwana; ‘The Cry of the girl child’ to highlight the plight of the girl child in the different slums.

Rita Aliguma the foundation’s founder said the tournament was epic and very competitive this year in addition to getting better each year.

“But we also realize that this time round, the unity, love, and team spirit exhibited was on a high level. The community got involved in cleaning and helping out with many things. It shows the community loves this and they are so involved in the Aliguma Foundation initiatives,” Aliguma said.

“We have a big challenge with the drainage system. We pray that the minister of sports fulfills the government support as pledged. Also having two ministers at this event was a huge statement.  We thank God for a great tournament.”

The UEFA Foundation through their Sports and Resilience Empowerment Project (SREP) and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) are the primary partners with the Aliguma Foundation for this annual showpiece.

Main match

NBA Shooting Stars 2 (5) Nakawa Boys 2 (4)

Women football

Blue wave 6 Naguru community 0

Football under 13

Hilton FC 1 AQ Select 0

Football under 14

AQ Select 0 (5) Nobles 0 (4)

Netball

Blue Wave 13 Hilltop 4