Bugweri, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The 2024 Masaza Cup football tournament has kicked off in Busoga Kingdom.
On Saturday, the Kyabazinga of Busoga, HRH Gabula Nadiope IV, presided over the opening ceremony at the Bugweri district headquarters. This year’s tournament has attracted over 14 teams from different chiefdoms across the Busoga sub-region.
Masaza Cup is an annual footballing tournament organized by the Busoga Kingdom to scout sports talents in the different chiefdoms.
The teams include; Butembe, Bulamogi, Bunhole-Bunanumba, Bugabula, Budiope, Bunha, Buzaya, Bugweri, Busiki, Bukono, Kigulu, Bukooli-Bugiri, Bukooli-Namayingo and Luuka.
The tournament started with a match between Bugweri and Busiki Chiefdom. Bugweri defeated Busiki 2-0.
Gabula urged the youth in Busoga to prioritize sports as an income-generating venture, rather than leisure activity.
Gabula also noted that sports tourism is one of the unexploited ventures in the Busoga sub-region. He implored the youth to position themselves to harness all the opportunities in sports.
The Spokesperson of this year’s Masaza Cup, David Mwesigwa said that due to the stiff competition for slots in both the national and top-flight league clubs, most footballing talents are hidden, therefore, Masaza Cup offers an opportunity for the youth to showcase their talents.
Mwesigwa revealed that they have partnered with professional football managers and veteran players to mentor promising players.
MTN’s head of marketing in the Eastern region, Denis Harindimana said that Busoga Kingdom has already presented proposals to include other games like netball.
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