ARS heads to FortPortal after regional qualifiers

Sheema girls' Patience Kekimuri wants children and especially girls to stop shying away from sport in order to benefit from their talents.

The 17-year-old defender was part of the Sheema girls' team that won the Western Region Airtel Rising Stars qualifier after they beat Kisoro Young Simba 1-0 in the final.

Kekimuri who is on a football scholarship at Sheema Girls SS wants to play up to the professional level, to continue earning form her talent.

"Girls shouldn't hide their talents; you know some girls are shy, but those with talent should show it off. I don't pay school fees, I have sponsors and I also have a top scorers medal from another tournament," Kekimuri after her side were crowned champions at the Bushenyi main playground.

Aine Adella scored the lone goal against Kisoro Young Simba to ensure they won the golden trophy and sh1m prize money.

In the Kitara Region girls final Tooro Queens beat St. Paul SS 3-0, Sumaya Komuntale's brace and Sylivia Kempango's strike ensuring they claimed the same prizes while in the boys' final Kiryandongo beat Friends of Soccer 1-0.

The Western region boys' final between Kigezi and Lions Academy provided more drama; ending in a shoot-out which the former won 6-5 after both sides drew 1-1 in normal time.

Kigezi's Trevor Agaba's first half strike was cancelled out by Peter Ayebare's second half equaliser before the penalty shootout.

In the shoot-out, Brian Kaboyo, William Omoding, Trevor Agabam Ashiraf Nkurunungi, Victor Kwikiriza and Donald Ogenrwoth scored for Kigezi while Peter Ayebare and Emma Beinomugisha were the villains for the Lions who had Edwin Masereka, Lawrence Nuwagaba, Syrus Abaho, Dan Tembo and Edgar Atuhaire's spot kicks on target.

After the regional qualifiers, the best players from each of the regions will assemble in Fort Portal for the season-7 finals, August 23-26.

MVP's

Kitara

Girls: Cissy Kabarwani (Tooro queens)

Boys:  Benjamin Iranya (Kiryandongo)

Western

Girls: Kekimuri (Sheema)

Boys: Dan Thembo (Lions)

Top scorers

Kitara

Girls: Cecilia Kamuri (Tooro queens) 4 goals

Boys: Ayiine Adella (Young blood) 6 goals

Finals

Western region (Girls)

Girls: Kisoro Young Simba 0 Sheema 1

Kitara region (girls)

Toro Queens 3 St. Paul 0

Kitara region (boys)

Friends of Soccer 0 Kiryandongo 1

Western (Boys)

Kigezi 1 (6) Lions Academy 1 (5)