This Tournament Will Shape Future Stars,” Says Lira Sports Official

By Regina Lalam Olal

The FUFA Odilo Championship for U-13 primary school children in Lira City and Lira District will kick off on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, with a strong lineup of schools aiming to promote grassroots football development in the region.

During a preparatory meeting held on June 23 at the Lira City Education Office, participating schools confirmed their involvement through their games teachers. These include Adyel Primary, Ojwina, Lira Citizen Primary, Lira Primary, Amuca, VH Public School, and Barapwo Primary, among others.

The tournament will feature two groups A and B, each with five teams in both boys' and girls' categories. Some schools also plan to register under-11 players to enhance youth participation and talent nurturing.

According to the competition format, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals and then the finals. The eventual champions will represent Lira at the regional FUFA Odilo Championship scheduled for July 12–13, 2025.

Lira City Sports Officer Dan Ogole, who chaired the meeting, stressed the importance of verifying player eligibility. “We are committed to ensuring a transparent competition. Schools fielding ineligible players will face penalties,” he said.

photo of Dan Ogole- Lira city sports officer( Photo by Regina Lalam Olal)

Alfred Olwee Adoko, a delegate from the Lira District Football Association, emphasized fair play and impartial officiating. He urged organizers to appoint neutral referees to avoid favoritism.

In response, Ogole pledged to coordinate with the Referees Association to ensure professional refereeing throughout the event. He also confirmed that each school must pay an affiliation fee of UGX 50,000 per category before the games begin.

Games teachers welcomed the initiative, calling it a vital platform for identifying and nurturing young football talent across the Lango Sub-region.

“This isn’t just a competition it’s a foundation for dreams,” said one coach. “These children get to showcase their talent and build the future of football in Uganda.”

With excitement building, the 2025 FUFA Odilo U-13 Championship in Lira is set to highlight emerging talent and reinforce sports development in primary schools.