Kampala, (UG):- The first-ever Bazzukulu Sports Gala organized by the Office of the National Chairman – NRM (ONC) climaxed with the crowning of the inaugural champions, Gulf FC who beat Kimwanyi FC 2-0 in the grand finale held at the MTN Omondi Stadium, KCCA ground in Lugogo, Kampala on Friday evening.
The gala, filled with intense competition that kept spectators on their feet and teams fighting fiercely for glory witnessed a total of 64 teams battling for the championship crown in the matches played in a 7-aside format.
After an exhilarating knockout round, the football finals between Gulf FC from Nakawa Division Gulf City and Kimwanyi FC provided a dramatic conclusion to the event the former winning the champions crown after a 2-0 win on the floodlights at the KCCA stadium.
ONC Football Club led by Coach Nelly Kalema unfortunately bowed out of the gala at the group stage after trailing with a negative goal difference in Group C as Generation Seven FC and Ntale FC progressed to the last 16.
At the awards ceremony on the night, the ONC Manager, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo aka Chief Muzzukulu handed over the champions medal and trophy, Shs2m cash prize, and a cow courtesy of ONC, plus a brand new motorbike courtesy of Kampala businesswoman Namusoke Sarah of Honda by Markh Investments to the winners of the Gala.
Similarly, the runners-up (Kimwanyi FC) also took home a Shs1m cash prize and a motorbike. The second and third runners-up, Butabika FC and 19th Intake FC were also awarded a Shs 500k cash prize respectively.
Other teams recognized on the Gala night were; Ntare FC for being the smartest team; they won a motorbike, while Gaza FC from Gaza City, won Shs400k and a cow, for being the best loyal team in the gala. KCCA Corporates won for the best-disciplined team and were awarded Shs 400k plus a cow, and Ntungasaze FC won the most promising talent of the gala.
The event was a spectacle of unity, talent, and empowerment as Bazzukulu turned up in bigger numbers to cheer on their teams.
In her brief remarks at the awarding ceremony, Hajjat Namyalo urged the youths to shun idling and criminality, but use avenues like these (The Bazzukulu Sports Gala) to promote their talent, which can also be a source of earning for livelihood improvement.
The ONC Manager implored the stakeholders in the sports sector to ensure full inclusivity of the youths in such activities rather than staying idle. “Sports has a bigger budget, therefore let’s ensure we also include these youths for their talent to be uplifted,” she said, before thanking Kampala Minister, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda for her invaluable support to the success of the gala.
She also revealed that the Bazzukulu gala is set to traverse across the 18 subregions of Uganda, and the winners in each region will be selected to compete in the national Bazzukulu gala at a later date. “This is just the beginning, we shall be reaching out to the Bazzukulu in all regions across the country. We will then join together the winners from every region and we will invite you all for the National gala.”
Namyalo also promised to organize galas for other activities such as Boxing, Athletics, and Indoor games for full inclusivity of the Bazzukulu as part of her office’s efforts to bring back the youths to the NRM as per the directive from the party’s National Chairman, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
“We will continue to organize more inclusive events, including Boxing, Athletics, and Indoor Games, to ensure every Bazzukulu has an opportunity to showcase their talent. This is part of our commitment to improving livelihoods and fulfilling President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s directive to bring the youth back to the NRM family.”
Minister Kabanda in her remarks, lauded the efforts of Hajjat Namyalo for the initiative to bring together youths in such a tournament and vowed to rally behind her for the success of the more galas yet to come. She emphasized that the gala is an avenue to make youths, especially from the ghettos, active and fully engaged in developmental activities rather than thinking of engaging in criminal activities.
“This is very good, and as the Minister for Kampala, I am ready to support Hajjat Namyalo for such efforts. Many youths are there with talent but are left unrecognised, but with such initiatives, I am sure Uganda will have more talent recognized,” she said.
Mr Seth Murari, the National Games and Sports Coordinator at the ONC, praised President Museveni and Hajjat Namyalo for their unwavering support in empowering the youth and said through such initiatives, many youths can get transformed by finding opportunities for survival and livelihood improvement.
“Through initiatives like this, we are seeing a transformation in the lives of many young people. President Museveni’s vision of a prosperous, peaceful Uganda is being realized, and Hajjat Namyalo’s efforts to engage the youth at the grassroots level are commendable.”
The vibe was high from the stands during the gala as spectators got treated to exciting entertainment breaks headlined by Ugandan songbird Vinka who took to the field and electrified the crowd with her hit songs like Chekecha, All Over You, Sure, Tubikole among others turning the stands into a dance arena.
Later, during the second break, the fans were treated to yet another thrilling performance by singer Grenade Official, who wowed the audience with his energetic stage presence and hit tracks like Ndiyadde-yadeko, Babandana, and Mpulira Bibyo, among others. These performances added a vibrant atmosphere to the already charged-up event, leaving fans asking for more.
The Bazzukulu Sports Gala was made possible with the generous sponsorship from stakeholders, such as Uzima Natural Water, Ntale Products, Ntungasaze, NBS Sport, and Security agencies, among others.
See more pictorial from the Bazzukulu Gala below
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