Uganda: Kiryandongo Sports Development Program

Eight Teams

Successfully Recruited

Eight teams have been successfully recruited in the community, and we are currently using four fields located in different areas of Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement: two fields in Ranch 1 and two fields in Ranch 37. There are two male teams and two female teams in each ranch. In consideration of our female players, their training is conducted in fields near their homes for easy access and additional safety. The trainings have been successful, and the coaches are doing an excellent job with the players.

Equipment Received

Confidence Boosted

Training equipment was received, including cones, beeps, uniforms, and cleats, among others. This has led to easy identification during training and competitions. It has also attracted more participants to the program and created more confidence in the existing players

Coaches and Players

Reaching Goals

A high level of discipline has been maintained among the coaches and players, which has led to lots of success, unity, and teamwork, hence achieving the original goals of the program.

The team has had both home and away matches, which have helped to shape and improve their performances. Both male and female teams have had a fair share in the activities.

Training by Team from U.S.

Inspiring Coaches, Building Confidence of Players

The training was both theoretical and practical; coaches were in class and took notes about what was being taught, but they were also taken to the field to practice. For example, coaches teamed up in three groups: Team No Violence, Team Strongest, and Team Stars (comprised of all coaches and assistant coaches) and ran competitive tasks like scoring and dribbling, among others. Room was made for asking questions, and the trainers were very easy to talk to, hence leaving an impact on the coaches. Skills learned during this training have been used by the coaches in the field with players, and the results have been excellent.

Meeting with Partners

Working to Address Challenges

RMF also attended a meeting in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement comprised of all implementing partners, where we were able to present the program’s challenges in hopes that the OPM will help us, especially with our need for land. The meeting also helped to create and strengthen relationships with other implementing partners and gain more exposure for our program.

Challenges include:

• Since most of the players are students, they report late to the field and don’t have time to practice as much as they should.
• During this school term, most of the players are also representing their schools and are preoccupied by the school activities. They come to the field exhausted, hence affecting the program.
• It has been difficult to find enough players for the girls’ teams. Most girls are in school and return home late. They get caught up doing housework and do not show up for trainings regularly.
• The biggest challenge for the program is playing fields. Most of the fields we are using are for schools, and the time and maintenance restrictions affect training.

Playing Matches

Promoting Unity

The teams made a trip to Gulu, where they played with Football for Good (FFG) Academy. Under-12 and under-17 boys were represented, and the under-12 team came out with a draw, while the under-17 team took the victory. This trip impacted both the players and coaches. For example, the coaches got to see the level of organization and skill of training at the academy and promised to do the same for their various teams.

The teams also visited Kigumba and played Sultan Academy. The girls’ under-17 and under-12 teams, as well as the boys’ under-17 team were represented. This was a success, as we had victory for both teams, which helped to build their confidence and self-esteem, hence building their potential.

The teams also hosted matches in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement with Abafra Academy and Erima boys. These matches were all successful and helped to build a good relationship between the teams and the host community, hence promoting unity.