Museveni, Kagame to feature in soccer match

By Pius Arinawe 

WHILE they usually sit at the same political table, President Yoweri Museveni and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame will go head-to-head in a football match as part of activities to mark Ntare School’s alumni reunion. 

The OBs’ association (NSOBA) harbours an ambitious plan to construct a sh817m sports complex and will utilise the function to be held at the school on March 29 to raise funds for the massive project. 

The complex to be built on the school premises, will house 3 football pitches, a cricket oval, basketball and volleyball courts, health facilities among others. 

“As OBs, we believe sports development is a virgin competitive area and we want to do something about it” NSOBA chairman Capt. Awich Pollar revealed to New Vision. 

“Ntare has had a great tradition in sports and has provided a number of players who have gone on to represent the country in different disciplines but we are not realising our potential so this project should remedy that.” 

The school has previously utilised Kakyeka Stadium in Mbarara for the bulk of its sporting activities; an arrangement Awich says is not ideal if sports is to develop in the school. 

He added, “We do believe it will be a seed planted and will inspire other schools to follow suit. We have managed to raise over 1b for construction of the library before and we shall achieve this.” 

Awich also revealed that the architectural design and planning had been finalised and that the heads of state were keen on participating in the event. 

“The old boys who joined Ntare in even years and those who joined in odd years will face each in the football match that will be held along with other sporting activities,” Awich added. 

“We have talked to the presidents and they have shown plenty of enthusiasm towards the project. 

“We have talked to several organisations and corporate bodies and they are willing to join us in this cause so we know we can achieve this.” 

Awich said the facilities will not to be exclusively used by Ntare students. 

“The community will benefit greatly from this project and we want to attract regional tournaments to be played in great facilities,” he stated. 

“Our school has always connected with the community and we shall make the facilities available for use.” 

Presidents Museveni and Kagame featured in a match in another OBs reunion in 2000. 

They also helped to fundraise for a modern library for the school’s golden jubilee celebrations in 2006.