COPA Coca Cola exposes appaling football pitches

Kibuli's Julius Poloto (right) and St. Mary's Kitende's Brian Kalumba wade through a muddy patch as they vie for the ball. PHOTO: Michael Nsubuga

State sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi has cautioned young footballers to always ensure they are disciplined as they pursue their sporting careers.

Bakkabulindi made the call as chief guest during the finals of the Copa Coca Cola Post Primary School Championships at the Masaka Recreation ground on Saturday.

He hailed the sponsors for ‘the very important tournament in as far as tapping and developing talent' saying it would be difficult to achieve the feat without it.

 Jinja SS's Joel Madondo celebrates his team's semi final win over Nakaseke during the Copa Coca Cola tournament at the Kitovu Sports Arena. 

"We can now see how endowed Uganda is with football talent, I call upon other companies to emulate Coca Cola and organise similar tournaments in other sports, but I would like the players to ensure discipline so that they can excel and become good professionals," Bakkabulindi advised.

But Bakkabulindi's advise came a little too late for Kibuli's Fred Tabu and Adam Musisi who were banned for one year after they were found to have violated Rule No.14, part C of the tournament rules and regulations, when they attacked the referee during their quarter final match against Masaka SS.

The rule states; "Any player who physically attacks a referee or any authorized persons within the field before, during or after the match shall be suspended from all football activities for 365 days."

 Jinja SS players celebrate their Copa Coca Cola victory with musician Jose Chameleone

Apart from the banned players and Nkoma SS and Kagadi, that were also banned for using ineligible players, the tournament was not short of talent with the top 20 outstanding ones being picked for a trip to Nairobi as a reward for their outstanding display.

The 20 are: Amir Nalugoda (Welden), Joel Akaka (Layibi College), Jacob Akao (Masaka SS), Faisal Matovu (St. Julian), Herbet Achayi (Kibuli), Ayub Kisige (Agape SS), Derrick Onyai (Amus), Godfrey Mutebi (Ryakasinga Che), Vincent Sekajja (Kakungulu) and Frank Iga (Masaka SS).

The rest are Joel Madondo (Jinja SS), Ponzoious Ozitile (Nyangilia), Shafic Nsereko (Lubaga), Hillary Odongkara (Layibi), Ivan Wani (Jinja SS), Moses Aliro (Kibuli), Rogers Watabula (Nakaseke), George William Kalyowa (Jinja SS), Abdullah Ssenyonga (St. Juilian) and Bright Anukani (Dynamic SS).

The torrential rains once again exposed the national wide lack of proper playing fields with some games played in almost pools because of poor drainage at the different grounds.