The Kampala Youth Socer Academy is one project envisaged by many as the springboard to usher in more talent from the outskirts of Kampala.
The academy is a social change initiative aimed at transforming lives of children in vulnerable communities using football.
The initiative was put in place after realising the need to mobilise from the sh talent in the communities of Kibuli, Kisugu and Kabalagala that have not been attended to.
One of the administrators and operations manager, Abdul Kiguli is confident they have talent on their disposal that only lacks the financial muscle to walk on.
“We have a lot of talent in the area. But the challenge is these young boys have no money to even afford a pair of playing boots,” Kiguli told Gateway News.
“There are many players that have guided and grown from these streets and they have moved on to make the country proud. I am glad we have another task to mould another talent,” he added.
“Since we are in early days of the project, there is still much to reach but am optimistic that we shall achieve the set targets if we follow the plan.”
The academy has a task to identify, nurture and promote football talents among the community dwellers.
“We have to create a platform for the youth to expose them to elite levels of the game. The inspiration is derived from many established players that hail from this community.”
According to Kiguli, the community has born talents such as that of Kizza Mustafa, Paul Willa and Filbert Obenchan.
The academy welcomes right from early as U10s, U12s, U15s and U17s. The program has employed six managers with current football players in the elite leagues making cameos to extend knowledge to the young boys.
Recently, former KCCA midfielder Stefano Loro Mazengo visited KYSA and supported the initiative by giving the young boys bags and t-shirts.
The Italian footballer promised to bring the team balls and soccer boots to ensure the boys freely grow their blossoming talents.
The academy has plan of registering the team so that it can particularly play the 5th division and we see how to spur the team further.
The academy is located at Kibuli Mutajazzi, few meters away from Total Kibuli.
It was founded by Abdallah Kassim and Erias Kassim.
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