Seven districts hold Bunyoro Masaza Cup forte

Representatives from CNOOC hand over tournament utilities to the Omukama of Bunyoro Kingdom Dr. Solomon Gafabusa Iguru in Kagadi District recently. Photo by DARREN ALLAN KYEYUNE

KAMPALA.

It is now clear that there is a more attention given to regional football, the hub of raw talent.

With Buganda’s Masaza Cup and Bika By’abaganda keeping aloft, they’ve been joined by the Busoga Masaza Cup whose first edition concluded with Bukholi North county as champions last month.

Moving west, the Bunyoro Amasaza Cup has grown in leaps and bounds over the past five years.

It is such tournaments that delivered the nation’s best players back in the 1960s’ and 70s’.

Legendary Phillip Omondi is perhaps the best of case study from the Aspro Cup in the late 1960s’.

This year’s one-month Bunyoro Amasaza Cup edition got underway a week ago thanks to a financial backing bankrolled by CNOOC Uganda Limited of $25000 (Shs87m).
CNOOC, an oil company, has been part of this competition’s story for all the five editions.

“When we began operations in Bunyoro, we made a commitment to be part of all-round growth in our area of operation,” CNOOC’s public relations officer Aminah Bukenya told this paper.

And it is seven districts Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kiryandongo, Buliisa, Hoima, Masindi and Kibaale in the region holding forte at this one-month long showpiece.

“The Amasaza Cup has continues to promote unity among the Banyoro and this, has, in turn, further strengthened our kingdom cultures,” Bunyoro king His Royal Majesty Solomon Gafabusa said in a statement.

The Amasaza won’t look back. Already, like the Busoga counterparts, are in talks with Buganda to have a ‘Masaza Super Cup’ tourney.

“As part of the organisers, we hope to have it come to pass in the future,” Bukenya offered. “Of course we are in talks as this will help expose more talent for Bunyoro region,” she added.