Gladys ZAWEDDE
The 50th edition of the Bika Byabaganda Football and Netball tournaments have officially been launched with a dinner at Hotel Africana on Friday 12th-April.
Owek Robert Serwanga Ssalongo appreciated those who were part of the preparations as well as arguing the clan heads to call Kabaka’s subjects to render all the support so that the 50th edition is exceptional,
“I welcome all of you to this dinner of the 50th edition of the Bika Byabaganda Football and Netball tournaments. We thank those that have stood with us, I call upon those who are yet to join us to please do so, we highly focus on identification as well as promoting tourism, the ministry has records of 1402 players who are eligible to feature in the Bika Byabaganda Football tournament so I call upon all clans to check with the ministry for their respective players.”
“The clans need a lot of support so I humbly request Kabaka’s subjects to provide all the the support needed. 50 years deserve an exceptional tournament it should be big and better.”
Chief guest Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa who represented the Katikiro promised full support from the Buganda Kingdom government,
“There is something special about the Bika tournament, it brings togetherness within us, it helps develop leaders as we take part in the 50th edition let us also focus on the fight against HIV.”
“Fifty years is not something to joke with, we needed to celebrate this milestone so on behalf of the Buganda Kingdom government we promise to support in all the possible ways to promote the Bika Byabaganda tournaments.”
“I would like to appreciate Owek. Robert Serwanga for the vision and working hard to improve all the sports activities he deserves credit.”
Former Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Owek. Joseph Mulwanyamuli Semwogere, Omutaka Augustin Mutumba, Omutaka Kasujja Kyesimba Kakande and Omutaka Mathias Kisolo Ngongo were among the dignitaries in attendance.
The 50th edition of the Bika Byabaganda football and netball tournament will officially kick off on Saturday 20th April.
Butiko and Mmamba Namakaka will face in netball in the opener on 20th April while the same clans will play the Bika Football opener on 27th April as netball will be climaxing.
Ngoonge are the reigning champions in football whereas the previous edition in netball was won by Ngeye
