The Confederation of African Football (CAF), through its Member Association FUFA, has handed over two brand-new Isuzu buses to Amus College School and Royal Giant High School in recognition of their outstanding performances in the inaugural CAF African Schools Championship, courtesy Motsepe Foundation.
The generous donation recognises their impressive performances during the 2023 CAF African Schools Football Championship – CECAFA Zone Qualifiers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Royal Giant High School, Mityana, won the gold medal in the boys’ U-15 category, and Amus College School secured third place in the girls’ group and were both honoured with the transport gifts as per the project proposals submitted by schools.
As part of the tournament’s prize package, Royal Giant received $100,000, while Amus College walked away with $50,000. The funds won require the schools to submit a proposal earmarked specifically for school development projects to reinforce the tournament’s broader objective of using football to promote education and youth empowerment.
Â
The handover ceremony, held at the FUFA Complex in Mengo, was also attended by the FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim, FUFA 2nd Vice President Justus Mugisha, who is also the President of Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA), Commissioner for Physical Education and Sports Rev. Can. Dr. Duncans Mugumya, Head teacher Richard Olupot of Amus College, and Executive Director Benon Ntambi of Royal Giant School, Maggie Murirwa and Kawalya Douglas, who are the Senior Sales Consultant and Asst. Sales Manager, MAC East Africa- Isuzu, respectively.
FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim praised the efforts of both schools and reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to youth football. ‘There is no shortcut to success at the senior level without investing in youth football,’ Magogo said.
Since 2015, we have been deliberate in our programs and partnerships, and it’s not by accident that schools like Amus and Royal Giant are now producing players who feature in teams heading to the World Cup.’
Rev. Dr. Duncan Mugumya, Commissioner of Physical Education and Sports, emphasised the significance of grassroots development in sports. ‘You cannot have U-17s qualify for the World Cup without school sports,’ he said. FUFA has shown exemplary proactivity in engaging schools, and other federations must follow suit.’
The schools’ representatives expressed their gratitude and pride in receiving the buses. Mr. Richard Olupot, Head Teacher of Amus College, recounted the school’s humble journey, while Mr. Ntambi Benon, Director of Royal Giant High School, thanked FUFA, CAF, and the Ministry of Education and Sports for making their dream a reality.
Head Teacher of Amus College, Mr. Richard Olupot
We received a call at 3:30 p.m. asking if we were ready to join the competition. We were just doing our regular training. Little did we know that it would lead us to Dar es Salaam’
Executive Director of Royal Giant School, Mityana, Mr. Benon Ntambi
Today is a day like no other day before it, when Royal Giant High School receives this award from the Confederation of African Football. Our journey was not soft, but we were prepared. This 67-seater Isuzu bus is not just a reward; it is a vessel we intend to fill with more trophies. I thank FUFA, CAF, ISUZU, the Ministry of Education and Sports, and USSSA for making this dream a reality.
CAF and FUFA, you have created a future for these girls. Today, we are riding into that future.’
The CAF African Schools Championship aims to positively impact young people through football values, and Uganda’s growing dominance in the tournament is a testament to the country’s commitment to investing in grassroots sports. This year’s edition of the championship is scheduled to take place in Ghana from 21st to 26th April 2025.
Uganda has two teams St Noah Girls SS Zana and St Mary’s Kitende, all representing the country.
