By Robert Kayindi James
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) kicked off preparations for the 2016/2017 Junior Elite League with an age verification exercise over the weekend ahead of the season that starts on Friday 23rd.
The exercise was conducted at Mulago hospital where the local football governing paid for an MRI scan. Eight teams took part in the process on Saturday while the other eight checked in on Sunday. This was done to cab down on the persistent age-cheating vice that has continuously haunted both local and international football hence causing hurting consequences for the national U-17, U-20 and may be U-23 teams.
The first eight teams were; KCCA SA, Express FC JT, Jinja SSS JT, URA FC JT, BUL FC JT, SC Villa Jogoo JT, Lweza FC JT and JMC Hippos JT while the second group consisted of Police JT, Proline JT, Bright Stars JT, Soana JT, Sadolin Paints JT, Vipers JT, Onduparaka JT and The Saints JT.
Vipers JT are the reigning champions of the FUFA Junior U-17 Elite League that consists of 16 teams, all being junior teams for each of the Azam Uganda Premier League clubs in fulfillment to one of the federations mandatory requirements. The federation took on the obligation to pay the monthly salaries of each U-17 head coach in the bid to promote grassroots football.