The 2018 Copa Coca-Cola winning teams from all round the continent will converge in Nakuru, Kenya for a training program as well as an ‘African Cup’ tournament next month. Buddo S.S, the 2018 Copa Coca-Cola champions — Uganda, will also be expected to attend the tournament that starts December 8th and ends December 16th this year.
Mrs. Maggie Kigozi, the Coca-Cola Uganda Marketing Manager expressed excitement at the opportunity to bring the best youth footballers across Africa to one town to train and compete against each other.
“This tournament will give our talented players an opportunity to interact with and play against their counterparts from different countries who have been exposed to a different standard of football,” she stated, adding that Coca-Cola plans to continue nurturing youth footballers on their journey to football excellence through COPA country tournaments and such initiatives.
COPA Coca-Cola is held in more than 60 countries across the globe with the aim of creating the world’s largest and most inclusive football grassroots programme.
Earlier this year, Buddo S.S defeated Kimanya S.S 1 – 0 in an adrenaline-charged game to emerge the victors for the second time since 2009. The tournament was hosted by Mbarara High School.
“We believe such an experience will encourage and motivate the young Ugandan youth football players to excel in sports and aim to play at the world’s most prestigious sporting event in the future. It all starts at the grassroots,” commented Ms. Miriam Limo, the Coca-Cola Uganda Brand Manager.
Last year, Ssonko Pius Lutaaya and Ssentamu Joshua – both from St. Mary’s Kitende S.S were selected during the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association East Africa games to be part of the team that represented East Africa in the COPA Coca-Cola Global Cup championship played in Durban, South Africa.