Residents reap big from Copa tourney
Jinja SSS players celebrate after defeating St. Mary’s SS Kitende in the final of the 24th edition of the Copa Coca Cola soccer tournament. PHOTO BY D. BBOSA
What you need to know:
- SOCCER. Pre -tournament title favorites Kibuli, Jinja SSS and Kitende lived to the billing by making it to the latter stages as did big name players Julius Poloto (Kibuli), Allan Okello (Kibuli, Frank Tumwesigye (Kitende) Makweth Wol (Citizens) and Joel Madondo (Jinja SSS) who put up commanding displays.
ENTEBBE.
The economic benefits created by hosting the this year’s Copa Coca-Cola schools tourney will continue to benefit Masaka town residents long after the final whistle was blown last Saturday.
The final match, played at the-full-to-the-rafters Masaka Recreation Ground, itself served a surprise, with Jinja SSS stunning eight-time winners Kitende to win the trophy for the first time.
“Thank you to all the people and companies that visited us for two weeks. You have added to our joy and boosted the economic standing of our businessmen,” a jovial Masaka SSS Head Master Twaha Mpungu, said at the closing ceremony.
Research shows that restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs, informal traders and shopping malls raked in more than usual as the Copa fever swept through Masaka town for two weeks.
“I have had a chance to sell avocado to the players and officials at their residence (Masaka SSS premises) now I’m certain of school dues for my children,” Ester Nantaba of Kimanya village, revealed.
Home teams blow hot and cold
Most of the home fans, polarized along Masaka SSS and Blessed Sacrament Kimanya lines, faulted the former for being weak, getting soft decisions and playing insipid football while the proponents of the latter claimed it had the markings of title contenders – until they were surprisingly booted out by Citizens HS at the round of 16.
The tourney matches at Masaka Recreation Ground, St Kizito, St Jude, St Henry’s Kitovu, Kitovu Arena, Gayaza, Kimanya and Masaka Technical Ground – even when played after heavy downpour most of the times - acted as daily menu for the mammoth crowds especially at the time when the district has no team in the top flight league.
Compelling stats
A total of 162 yellow cards and 7 red cards were ditched out in the 24th edition. There were 24 referees in the tourney that attracted 58 schools from nine regions. For his heroics in Jinja SSS’ victory, Ivan Wani was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) accolade whereas St Julian’s 16-goal hero Abdallah Ssenyonga won the top scorer’s boot.
Sebei College conceded the most number of goals in one match (16-0 against semifinalist Kibuli) whereas Kitende conceded the least - 3 throughout the entire tourney. Exactly 661 goals were scored in the tourney that attracted 1,044 players.
The organisers selected 20 best players to represent Uganda in the East African challenge in Kenya next week.
