By Isaac Akugizibwe,
NATIONAL
A nerve fledgling closely contested football gala held at Nyakasura school grounds in Fort Portal on Saturday 8th october, 2022 marked a stylistic launch of the much awaited Nyakasura school Alumni league scheduled for February 2023. Despite the rain and cold weather,the event ended successfully and according to officials, more than 500 people were in attendance.
According to Ronald Karuhanga, the Interim chairperson of the Nyakasura school Alumni league, Saturday’s attendance was simply a piece of an iceberg of what the crowd is likely to be when the league starts in February next year.
“Saturday’s event was a massive success, it really overwhelmed our expectations and majority of the people who turned up came from the capital city which is a sign that represents a very bright future of Our league,” Karuhanga said.
“It was a litmus test for the establishment of our league and we ancitipate the best Alumni league in this country based on the turn up. We have a big population in central region especially in Kampala and majority have started warming up for the league,” he added.
There was alot of excitement as several people were meeting for the first time after so many years and this presented a spectacle filled with emotions as old friends, class and housemates rekindled the good old memories at the school.
And when it came to business on the football pitch, the Nyashers could not hide what actually makes part of their DNA. Sport is one of the three core values of Nyakasura school and indeed this spirit was vivid in what different individuals could do with the ball.
Ten teams participated in the gala with all players many in their 40’s looking lively and physically fit. When it came to the scramble for prizes, Professor Edward Rugumayo’s apprentices, Soccer Club(SC) Rugamayo led the race beating Amaraidi football club in the finals to emerge champions on a cold Saturday evening.
Former Tooro United striker Deus Katuramu bagged the top scorers crown with five goals and his team, Blast Furnace outscored everyone and took home maximum points in the group stages.
It was another revelation of the power of sport in bringing people together and this will stand unmatched for no other event has ever attracted so many Alumni at Nyakasura school than Saturday’s launch.
The fans’ favourites, team Banyunye stole the show with their queen dancers who led the cheering of the team during games. It is also the only team that had restaurant that ensured each member of the team had something to eat or drink whenever they felt hungry.
“l went to the school in the 90’s and there hasn’t been that kind of event that attracts most of us to the school to meet up with classmates and oldfriends in such a massive way. These young boys and girls have done it and it has been possible because of sports,” one alumnus identified as Birungi Akiiki said.
“This is historical, I never thought I was ever going to meet many of my OBs and OGs again but this event has made it possible,” Thomas Bwango said.
“I felt so delighted to once again meet my old friends, I had fun and my mind was refreshed,” Joel Bala, another former student said.
Bala is also hopeful that the school will benefit tremendously in terms of moblising resources in different aspects.
“The school will benefit, having an alumni body that is connected benefits the school especially in terms of mobilizing resources to help the school,” he noted.
Though the weather appeared to interfere with the day’s events, the commandos held on and completed the day with a mega party at Pavilion bar and restaurant which they filled to capacity before dancing all night long.
The way Nyakasura school Alumni launched their league was unique that no other group of the kind in Uganda has ever done it from home and it will be the first among Schools in the Rwenzori region.
