The early morning shower on Sunday did very little to dampen the spirits as the corporate sports network league kicked off at the Luzira sports complex.

Hundreds of fans and participants from over 35 corporate companies braved the lakeside breeze and spent the day engaged in football matches throughout the day.

There was a sense of anticipation as the teams marched, led by the Uganda Prison’s band. Before kick-off, the Corporate Sports Network, BOD, Executive, and Secretariat held brief speeches with the crowd as a way of introducing themselves. 

Simeon Kawuma Bulezi, the Chairperson of the Corporate Social Network, wittily revealed that members of the league should start donning dark glasses because they have a very bright future.

The top honchos at Corporate Sports Network share a word during the outing.

“The response has been tremendous, and if we are to take into account what happened today, I am optimistic we will have more entrants and could have 50 companies at the next outing. We are grateful to the managers who have chosen to identify with a league that values them and has the best interests of the league at heart,” he said.

The Uganda Prisons Services-UPS band put up a great performance, leading the teams out to the pitch with a musical powerhouse, combining talent, creativity, and versatility. Even after their early morning drill, they stayed around, doing renditions of popular songs throughout the day. There were also powerful performances from Arafat Kaliisa and dancers called the TLS Humble Stars, who entertained the corporates.

It was intense action on the pitch as teams competed

On the pitch, it was tense, and you could tell players still carried rust and needed to put in more training. Thankfully, medical partners from Case Clinic were on standby to present the much-needed massages. 

One of the highlights was the female event emcee, whose eloquence and striking beauty left many participants and male managers gawking. 

The General Manager, Corporate Sports Network, Charles Ssempagala, reveals that the corporate sports network, trading as Astra Corporate Sports Network, was created on January 13, 2024.

Ten days later, the brand was fully registered following a meeting with various team managers representing 30 companies with the main objective of promoting productive corporate networks by bringing together staff of member companies to participate in various sports activities every month.

He reveals that by participating in the games, companies leverage team building, branding (free exhibitions), and marketing and publicity opportunities.

For the individuals, they will gain fitness and bond while having fun. There will also be a Corporate Sports Network Night every first Friday of the month to foster bonding in a more relaxed environment.

The Games will be concluded by a grand dinner and awards ceremony on the first Friday of December 2024.