The Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) Season 5 U-17 football tournament officially came to a close at Kakyeka stadium in Mbarara district with sixteen teams from eight regions around the country competing to take the coveted national championships trophy home.
For the second year running, Bunyoro Kitara and Buganda Regions’ teams bagged the boys’ and girls’ championships respectively.
Organized by leading telecommunications operator, Airtel Rising Stars is a global talent search platform which aims to develop grassroots football by displaying the skills of talented youngsters across Africa and providing them with the opportunity to evolve and acquire new football skills and develop into notable soccer talents.
The 2015 ARS tournament was officially launched on the 15th June 2015, with regional tournaments taking place in five districts across the country.
Speaking after the national championships, Airtel Uganda’s Brand Assets and Properties Manager, Noela Byuma emphasized the Company’s commitment to the development of national football. “We believe that continually nurturing young talent is the means by which we will ensure the growth and recognition of talent among youth in this country,” she said.
“We have always and will always be a brand that supports the communities in which we operate. Airtel Rising Stars provides young, gifted football players with the opportunity to train within FUFA camps, where they are able to gauge their soccer skills by competing with their age mates from different parts of the country, and most importantly, they stand a chance to be scouted for club and national football,” she added.
Both the Kitara and Buganda winning teams from this year’s games received a cheque of UGX 5,000,000/- each, courtesy of Airtel Uganda. Sadat Nsubuga, the Most Valuable Player, Alfred Adeka , the best goal keeper and Richardson Okumu, the top scorer took home mobile phones and other Airtel merchandise.
