Excitement As Bunyoro-CNOOC Amasaza Cup Tournament Resumes

HOIMA CITY, December 11, 2024 –– The Bunyoro-CNOOC Amasaza Cup Tournament, which was paused due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020, has resumed amidst great excitement from the youth, and officials in Bunyoro Kitara kingdom.

Organised by the kingdom in partnership with China National Offshore Oil Corporation [CNOOC], the tournament aims to help the youth in the kingdom develop their football talents. Sponsored by CNOOC, the competition has attracted 15 teams from all eight districts of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom. These include Greater Masindi [Kiryandongo, Buliisa, and Masindi], Greater Kibaale [Kagadi, Kakumiro, and Kibaale], and Greater Hoima [Kikuube, Hoima City, and Hoima district].

CNOOC is involved in the development of the Kingfisher Oil Field in Buhuka Parish, Kyangwali Sub-county, Kikuube district, located on the shores of Lake Albert. Uganda expects to produce its first oil in the fourth quarter of 2026 or early 2027.

Launching the competition at Hoima Boma Grounds in Hoima City on Tuesday, Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Prime Minister, Andrew Byakutaga expressed his enthusiasm about its resumption. He highlighted the importance of sport in the lives of young people.

He noted that since the inception of the Bunyoro-CNOOC Amasaza Cup in 2012, numerous young talents had been identified and nurtured. Byakutaga acknowledged the vacuum created by the suspension of the tournament due to COVID-19 but expressed his happiness that, after discussions with CNOOC, the company had agreed to resume the competition.

“The Bunyoro-CNOOC Amasaza Cup is one of the ways we can engage the youth. We have a large youth population, many of whom are not in school and are unemployed. We believe that engaging in sports is one way to keep them active and prevent them from getting involved in harmful activities,” he said.

He also commended CNOOC for their continued support in funding activities aimed at the development and transformation of Bunyoro. Byakutaga called on the youth to embrace sports and use it as a means to develop their talents and secure a brighter future. He urged development partners to support the youth in building their skills and talents to foster socio-economic transformation.

“We know the youth make up a large percentage of the population, and they need our support. Many of them are unemployed, and being idle can lead to challenges. Supporting the youth is vital because it helps them develop skills and become responsible individuals,” he added.

Ma Peixin, the Vice President of CNOOC Uganda Limited, said the tournament is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility, aimed at strengthening its relationship with the community in its area of operation.

“This initiative demonstrates the power of sport as a unifying force, bringing together diverse members of the Bunyoro community, partners, and stakeholders. Through sport, we are not just playing games; we are building the future, fostering dialogue, and showcasing collaboration to ensure sustainable development,” he said.

Peixin also highlighted that, in addition to sponsoring sports, CNOOC has supported various initiatives in the region, including education, health awareness campaigns, environmental protection, and skill development for communities.

Rodger Byamukama, representing FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo, commended CNOOC for sponsoring the tournament, stating that the competition would promote unity among the kingdom’s subjects, who come from various tribes. He also noted that the tournament would help identify and nurture the football talents of the kingdom’s youth.

Moses Muyambi, Assistant Resident City Commissioner for Hoima East Division, expressed the government’s excitement about the positive working relationship between the kingdom and the oil companies operating in the region. He highlighted the tournament as a platform for kingdom officials to engage with the youth on issues affecting them.

Muyambi called for fair play throughout the competition, stressing that such tournaments should not end in violence due to a lack of transparency.

The resumption of the Bunyoro-CNOOC Amasaza Cup is seen as a significant step in fostering unity, talent development, and the overall welfare of the youth in the Bunyoro Subregion.

https://thecooperator.news/sport-key-in-eac-integration-process-tayebwa/

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