TotalEnergies EP Uganda (TEPU) annual Football mini-league resumed on Saturday in Nwoya district.
This follows nearly three years of halt due to movement restrictions meant to curtail the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
The league, comprising sixteen clubs selected from all the sub-counties in the district, is being undertaken in partnership with Nwoya District Football Association (NDFA) and the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA).
The tournament kicked off with new formations to include a 30-club qualifier football gala organised by NDFA.
The winning team will benefit from a TotalEnergies sponsorship to the fifth division of the 2023 FUFA league in line with the Company’s ambition to promote talent.
Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, Christopher Ocowun, the French Oil and Gas firm’s Public Relations Coordinator, revealed that the aim of the League is to promote both sportsmanship, talent search and development as part of the Company’s commitment to youth development-pillars of Youth Inclusion & Education and Creating Value for Society.
He added that the League is also in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 regarding Good Health and Well-being.
“We have chosen to develop sports partnerships within our areas of operation to enhance community relations. These events provide an opportunity for engagement with the public and evoke a spirit of togetherness and friendliness among us living and working within the community. Sports such as this which are widely appreciated by not only the Nwoya community but also the country provide a unique opportunity for professionalisation and growth of the sport in the district and country, identification of talent as well as encouraging commitment from players and motivation for youth interested in it as a profession,” Ocowun stated.
He said TotalEnergies, which operates Tilenga oil field situated in Buliisa and Nwoya districts, has also refurbished two football pitches at Anaka Primary School and Anaka Central School that will host the games to ensure safety and good sporting environment for the teams.
All the games will be played within Anaka Town Council under the management of FUFA referees and in adherence with (FUFA) rules and regulations.
Competition Awards In addition to the overall prize for the winning team, additional prizes to include a bull, goats, medals, sports regalia and certificates will be given out to the First Runner-up and Second Runner-up teams, Most Disciplined Team Best player, Top scorer, Best Midfielder, Best Defender, Best Goalkeeper and Man of the Match for all matches.
All teams and individual players will also receive certificates. The kick-off ceremony was attended by Emmanuel Orach, Nwoya district Chairperson, district and Anaka town council leaders, FUFA Officials, representatives from Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), Uganda National Oil Company and China Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) Uganda.