Queens Eagles FC receiving the trophy for ladies` champions. Photo by Robert Ocitti

By Robert Ocitti

Nwoya
The 7^th edition of Nwoya district Total mini league came to an end over the weekend with Queens Eagles Football Club (FC) beating Rainbow Queens FC by one goal to nil, the goal which was scored in the first half was enough for them to be crowned the champions in the female`s category for the second time.

Zamzam Akullu, the captain was extremely thrilled by the achievement, “I`m very excited for this achievement, I thank my fellow players for the hard work and team spirit, and I would like to thank Total Energies for promoting girl child football, we now look forward to defending our title after lifting this trophy for the second time now,” she said excitedly.

Collins Oringa, the coach of Queens Eagles FC was equally happy with the performance amidst some few challenges they encountered during their preparations for the tournament, “I`m happy with the performance of my players though there was some little confusion pertaining the jerseys for our team which didn’t come timely, I had struggled a lot for us to be given the jerseys, but I`m happy that my players were focused and that`s what made them to win the trophy,” he remarked.

On other hand, Hassan Sadam, the assistant coach of Rainbow Queens FC said that though they lost the match, their players played well, we had a problem in our midfield especially in the first half that made us to concede an early goal, we tried to improve in the second half but it was too late to correct the damage, but we are happy with what happened, we learnt a few things and that will help us in our preparations for the next edition,” he remarked.

Meanwhile for the male`s category 10 men Young Elephants academy FC had to push Coorom young stars FC to spot kicks after a goalless 90 minutes of play, after which young Elephants Academy FC took the day edging out Coorom Young Stars FC by 4 goals to 3.

Nasan Amone, the coach of Young Elephants Academy explained that his team became victorious in spite of the red card shown to one of his players in the second half of the game because they stuck to the game plan.

“My players stuck to the game plan, they defended very well though were one man down due to red card, I`m very happy, we have very young players in the team and that is good for the future of this club, I have just taken 3 months with the club as their head coach, this is a very big achievement for me and the club,” he echoed.

Hon. Emmanuel Orach, the Nwoya district local government chairperson used the occasion to re-echo to Total Energies their earlier appeal for a construction of a standard football stadium saying that they already have the land but they lack the funds. “This is for the management of Total Energies, I`m reminding you our earlier request, you help us construct a standard football stadium at the level of FUFA and FIFA, we have the land for it but we don’t have the funds, you help please, we thank you for what you are doing in Nwoya district,” he noted.

Total Energies corporate social responsibility manager Simpson Biryabaho, assures the football stakeholders of their commitment in developing football in the district. “Total Energies is always committed to support this league from the kick off up to the finals , it has done it in Nwoya and it has done the same  in Buliisa for a number of years, usually the support doesn’t end up in preparing the teams, we are all aware that all the 24 teams that participated , the 16 for the male and 8 for the female, we gave the jerseys, footballs and all the equipment that is why the teams this time round were a little unique, we have done a lot,” he remarked.

This year`s edition of Nwoya district Total Mini league featured 24 football clubs, 16 Male`s football clubs and 8 Female`s football clubs with the winners in both of the two categories working away dummy cheques of 4 million shillings, first runners’ ups taking dummy cheques of 2 million and third runners` ups walked away with dummy cheques of 1 million and  a number of individuals` awards were also given out ranging from the best goal keepers to the most valuable players of the tournament awards in the both two categories.