Soroti Eagles Soccer Academy celebrates 25 years
Founded in 1999 by Micheal Erebu as a community-based initiative, the academy was established to provide meaningful opportunities for youth development.
John Micheal Erabu training young players at Soroti city sports ground. Photos by Gabriel Esiku
By Gabriel Esiku
Journalists @New Vision
Soroti Eagles Soccer Academy continues to uphold its mission of nurturing young athletes through sports and life skills, marking 25 years of impactful service to the Teso region and beyond.
Founded in 1999 by Micheal Erebu as a community-based initiative, the academy was established to provide meaningful opportunities for youth development. Today, it stands proud of its legacy in shaping football careers and transforming lives.
“We’ve been in existence for 25 years, and we’re proud to say we’ve achieved our goals,” Erebu said. “We’ve trained over 1,200 footballers who are now earning a living both locally and nationally. Our players feature in the Uganda Premier League, Big League clubs, and regional teams.”
Young players undergoing training at Soroti city sports ground. Photos by Gabriel Esiku
Erebu emphasized that the academy’s vision extends beyond football, focusing on behavior change and holistic development. The program integrates social, educational, health, and economic wellbeing, using sports as a transformative tool.
“Our goal isn’t just to train footballers, it’s to instill discipline and life skills,” he added. “We want our players to grow into responsible citizens, whether they pursue football professionally or not. The holistic upbringing they receive here, alongside their formal education, helps them mature responsibly.”
Currently, Soroti Eagles Soccer Academy trains 240 young footballers aged 6 to 18, under the guidance of qualified coaches. Sessions are held during school holidays to ensure academic commitments are not disrupted.
Richard Etidu, Soroti District Sports Officer, praised the academy’s contribution to regional talent development.
Young players undergoing training at Soroti city sports ground. Photos by Gabriel Esiku
“Teso is blessed to have an academy like this. It has enabled young boys to showcase their talents at all levels—locally and internationally,” Etidu said.
He highlighted the success of players from the region who have risen to national prominence, including Ibrahim Orit and Brian Okello.
Over the years, Soroti Eagles has participated in numerous local tournaments and lower league competitions. Many of its players have earned bursaries to top secondary schools, thanks to their football talent.