The stage is set for the corporate sports network league to kick off this weekend at the Luzira sports complex.

Hundreds of fans and participants from over 35 corporate companies are set to compete in a set of games, at the complex, which is the home ground of the Maroons Football Club.

“We shall commence our season on Sunday, March 24th.  Naturally, the games were set for the last Sunday of the month, but it coincides with Easter Sunday, so we shall have the games this weekend,” Simeon Kawuma Bulezi, the Chairperson of the Corporate Social Network, said.

He revealed that the response has been tremendous, with close to 35 corporate companies confirming participation in the maiden outing. He projects that the numbers are likely to shoot up. 

The first outing is expected on Sunday, March 24, at the Luzira Sports Complex at 9:00 a.m. It will open amid fanfare from a prison band as participating teams, the executive, exco, and secretariat, march in a parade and do a lap of honour.

The outings will run for the next nine months, and games will be held in various venues such as Mandela National Stadium, Makerere University Business School (MUBS), Prisons Grounds Luzira, Quality Chemicals Limited Luzira, Hotel Africana for Swimming and Pool, and Kyadondo Rugby Club.

“We are excited about the commencement of the league. Having all these companies participate in our maiden outing speaks volumes. We are honoured. On our part, we need to work hard to ensure the league runs smoothly. Companies should expect an improvement in the quality of outings, venues, branding, and officiation,” Kawuma said.

He reveals that in order to run an effective league free of mercenaries, team managers are required to present albums of their players before kick-off for player verification.

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 with a grand dinner on the first Friday of December 2024

The Companies expected to Participate this Season are;

AFRICA GLOBAL LOGISTICS (AGL)

CASE HOSPITAL (ALSO THE OFFICIAL MEDICAL PROVIDER)

CCBA (COCA COLA)

CENTENARY BANK

DFCU

DHL

DTB

DUMEN ORANGE

GRAPHIC SYSTEMS

HARIS INTERNATIONAL

HFB

HOTEL AFRICANA

HUAWEI

I&M BANK

JUBILEE LIFE

MOGO LOANS

MTN

NSSF

NILE BREWERIES LTD (NBL)

NWSC

PEPSI

POST BANK

QUALITY CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES

UGANDA RED CROSS

ROOFINGS GROUP

ROYAL VAN ZANTEN

SGA SECURITY

STANBIC BANK

TROPICAL BANK

UGANDA BREWERIES LIMITED (UBL)

UGANDA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY (UCAA)

UGANDA PRISONS SERVICES

UETCL

URA

UWEC