By URN
The fifth edition of the Tooro Kingdom Amasaza Football Tournament and the second edition of the Amasaza Netball Tournament have officially kicked off, with increased prize money and renewed efforts to promote youth talent and strengthen cultural unity across the kingdom.
The annual competition, one of the activities marking King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV’s coronation anniversary celebrations in September, will feature teams from the kingdom’s nine counties—Kyaka, Mwenge North, Mwenge South, Bunyangabu, Ntoroko, Kibale, Kitagwenda, Burahya and Fort Portal.
The tournament was officially launched on Sunday at Humura Church of Uganda Playground in Kyaka County, Kyegegwa District. This year’s edition comes with enhanced rewards after tournament sponsors MTN Uganda increased the prize money in recognition of the competition’s growth and the commitment shown by participating counties.
The winning football team will receive Shs35 million, up from Shs25 million, while the netball champions will take home Shs15 million, an increase from Shs10 million. Every Player of the Match will also receive Shs200,000, and MTN Uganda will organize victory celebrations, including a bull roast, in the winning county to boost fan engagement.
Speaking at the launch, Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki said the Amasaza tournament has become one of the kingdom’s flagship activities, bringing together people from across Tooro, strengthening their bond with the kingdom and providing young people with an opportunity to showcase their sporting talent.
Rwomiire said King Oyo’s commitment to youth empowerment extends beyond sports, noting that the monarch has donated land to the government for the construction of a stadium and continues to support young people through the Tooro Youth Empowerment Project, under which beneficiaries receive coffee seedlings and chicks to improve their livelihoods.
