Days ago, a press conference was called and what were rumours were put to bed as Arua Hill Soccer Club (formerly Dove All-Stars) launched its new management team but most importantly, the club’s ambitious five-year strategic plan.

A lot was said in the plan but what caught my eye was that the club's management promised to set up a women’s football side. If fulfilled, this will be a very big addition to the women’s game in Arua, West Nile region, and the country at large.

The women’s game is mainly concentrated in the central region of the country. In the recently concluded FUFA Women’s Super League, Lady Doves(Masindi) and Olila Women FC(Soroti) were the only two teams out of the Central Region.

The establishment of a female side of Arua Hill SC will push the women’s game further to another region. It will also help to increase women’s football penetration in the region and lay the ground for talented female football players in Arua to showcase their talent.

The new club chairman, Aita Joel asserted that the club will scout fresh talent for both the senior side and the academy in the West Nile region because he believes there’s untapped budding talent.

If the club climbs up the football ladder without much resistance, the ladies will relish the opportunity to compete with the big teams in our domestic leagues.

The women’s side will also provide a source of income and livelihood to the players, support staff. 

The lack of financial support and sponsorships and other series of difficult situations are some of the big challenges ladies football teams face in modern football but how Arua Hill SC intends to implement this plan is something that will be analysed critically in the future.

From the club's viewpoint, they seem mesmerized with their ambitious plan.

On the side of the vibrant female football lovers in Arua, we have seen in the past fans who breathe and live football, rock stadiums to support their clubs, this will finally give them a chance to cheer on a women’s side from their home town.