Life Bridge retains Kabale schools' cup

For the second time in a row, Life Bridge Primary School clinched winner's place on Saturday when they beat Kanani Primary School to the 2016 Ariho Cup Championship, thanks to a goal in the first half by Amin Nzamwita.

At final whistle, the winners were engulfed by an ecstatic crowd of locals and parents who filled the stands at the Kabale Municipal Stadium for this thriller and danced away through the evening.

Life Bridge also took home the top scorer's prize courtesy of James Kukundakwe who put 19 goals passed some of the 20 teams from the start.

These have been tussling it out in stages for two weeks that saw University View Primary School take third place.

Emerging competition

Unlike the majority sports competitions that are initiated by either religious groups or politicians, the Ariho Cup Championship was kicked off in 2008 by private sponsors headed by one Dr Alex Ariho.

Ariho, who is the current CEO of the Africa Agribusiness Incubators Network (AAIN), a continental agribusiness support organisation based in Accra, Ghana considers this as one way to groom talent in the region.

"We need to build talent among the young people who can be assets to the country in the future. I also believe that we can promote the spirit of brotherhood and help transform our education sector in Africa through sports, starting from home," he says.

Alfred Ahimbisibwe a member of the Championship's Management Committee says that the expansion of the championship from 12 teams last year to 20 teams is a sign of continuity.

"This year we have been joined by 10 new teams. By next year 30 schools will have signed up as we also plan to expand into Mbarara and other regions," Ahimbisibwe says.

Kate Kasisi the Kabale District Inspector of Schools who was a guest at the final said that such competitions are a key factor in education.

"Participation in sports helps to improve teamwork and enables the pupils to learn to respect the views of other as they also develop leadership qualities," she said.

The two-time winners bagged a trophy along with textbooks, jerseys and cash prizes.

Together, the group of sponsors is committing resources to run the championship up to 2022 with a girls-only cup starting in 2017.