Csaba camps at Arua U-17 tourney
Jun 24, 2007
Ordinarily, many expected Uganda Cranes head coach Laszlo Csaba to head for a comfy holiday after the recent spate of Nations Cup encounters that climaxed with a goalless draw with Lesotho on June 19.
By Frank Mugabi
in Arua
Ordinarily, many expected Uganda Cranes head coach Laszlo Csaba to head for a comfy holiday after the recent spate of Nations Cup encounters that climaxed with a goalless draw with Lesotho on June 19.
Instead, the German tactician flew to Arua town on Saturday to scout for talent at the inaugural U-17 football championships.
Being the first national tactician to travel to Arua in recent history, Csaba was received with pomp from the airfield as crowds struggled to have a glimpse of him.
The event that attracted teams from all the 13 Fufa zones was organised to identify talent and also act as a sieve for selecting the U-17 national side for the upcoming Cecafa championships.
Speaking at Dorcus Inzikuru stadium, Csaba underscored the importance of lower level sporting competitions saying they are vital in the development of the game.
“After 2-3 years we can pick players from this lot for the national teams,†Csaba said.
He decried the rush by African coaches to work with super league and national teams while ignoring youth teams.
“I know everybody likes a big job but you must teach and protect the good young players early enough,†Csaba added.
National teams’ coordinator, Edgar Watson, who accompanied Csaba, said the U-17 meet is a channel through which junior players can make it to national level.
in Arua
Ordinarily, many expected Uganda Cranes head coach Laszlo Csaba to head for a comfy holiday after the recent spate of Nations Cup encounters that climaxed with a goalless draw with Lesotho on June 19.
Instead, the German tactician flew to Arua town on Saturday to scout for talent at the inaugural U-17 football championships.
Being the first national tactician to travel to Arua in recent history, Csaba was received with pomp from the airfield as crowds struggled to have a glimpse of him.
The event that attracted teams from all the 13 Fufa zones was organised to identify talent and also act as a sieve for selecting the U-17 national side for the upcoming Cecafa championships.
Speaking at Dorcus Inzikuru stadium, Csaba underscored the importance of lower level sporting competitions saying they are vital in the development of the game.
“After 2-3 years we can pick players from this lot for the national teams,†Csaba said.
He decried the rush by African coaches to work with super league and national teams while ignoring youth teams.
“I know everybody likes a big job but you must teach and protect the good young players early enough,†Csaba added.
National teams’ coordinator, Edgar Watson, who accompanied Csaba, said the U-17 meet is a channel through which junior players can make it to national level.