Ensonga football tournament attracts 73 teams as Hoima youth embrace sports initiative
The tournament was launched in Hoima Town, where speakers emphasised the potential of sports to empower young people and create alternative sources of livelihood.
Youth and football enthusiasts in Bunyoro Kitara have welcomed an initiative by Hoima West Member of Parliament Ismail Kasule, also known as Ow’Ensonga, to support sports development and nurture football talent in the Albertine region.
The initiative, dubbed the Ensonga Football Tournament, is aimed at providing young people with an opportunity to showcase their football talents while promoting sports and youth empowerment in Hoima City and the wider Bunyoro region.
Davis Ssegawa, chairperson of the tournament organising committee, said the initiative is intended to bring together young footballers and create a platform through which emerging talents can be identified and developed.
Ssegawa said 73 teams have so far registered to participate in the tournament, with the number expected to increase as more teams join the competition.
He said the tournament will help young people utilise their talents while keeping them actively engaged in productive activities.
Youth talents need support
Twaibu Amanya, Personal Assistant to MP Ismail Kasule, said the lack of organised initiatives to support young footballers in Hoima had left many talents undiscovered and underdeveloped.
He criticised political leaders who, after being elected, have failed to give adequate attention to youth development and sports.
Amanya said the tournament is part of efforts to create opportunities for young people who have talent in football and give them a platform to pursue their ambitions.
The tournament was launched in Hoima Town, where speakers emphasised the potential of sports to empower young people and create alternative sources of livelihood.
Matia Kajura, coordinator of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) in Bunyoro region, said the tournament was an important initiative for empowering young people, particularly those with football talent.
Kajura pointed to international footballers who have built successful careers through the sport, saying young people in Bunyoro can also use their talents to improve their livelihoods if given the right opportunities and support.
Shs20 million pledged
Kasule is planning to inject Shs20 million into the tournament, which is expected to attract a total of 73 teams.
The financial support is intended to facilitate the organisation of the competition and encourage greater participation among youth football teams in Hoima and the wider Bunyoro region.
Organisers say the tournament will not only provide entertainment to football fans but also create a platform for identifying and nurturing promising players.
The initiative comes at a time when youth unemployment and limited opportunities for young people remain concerns in many communities.
Organisers believe that investing in sports can help young people develop their talents, build careers and remain engaged in productive activities.
The Ensonga Football Tournament is therefore expected to provide a competitive platform for young footballers while strengthening sports development and youth participation in the Albertine region.
