Karamoja and Sebei regions are participating in this year’s schools Copa Coca-Cola football championship.
One team will represent each of these regions in Masaka, where the schools championship runs from May 6 to 20. This is one of the latest interventions by the tournament’s organizing committee, to spread football around the country.
It is also a reflection of how much the Copa Coca-Cola championship has grown over the years. While speaking at the tournament launch, the organizing committee chairman, Raphael Bwire, said it was a landmark event having both the Sebei and Karamoja region schools competing against each other from district level.
And whichever team makes it to Masaka, this will provide an opportunity to examine the level of football in those areas compared to other regions. Coca-Cola is giving every participating school from district level two balls and 18 Coke-branded T-shirts. This will enable teams to be smart while going for their qualifiers.
Already, 1, 700 schools have confirmed participation in the qualifiers. But the organizing committee has also confirmed more vigilance, to ensure that the sanctity and integrity of the sport is protected.
Unlike before, only players below the age of 20 will be allowed to compete in Masaka. Only footballers born after September 1, 1998 will be allowed to take part in the qualifiers and in the tournament this year.
elly@observer.ug