Wednesday 10th July 2019.
The 2019 rising stars football tournament season eight officially been on Wednesday 10th July morning launched at Thobani Center Kampala road Airtel shop
This is the 8th edition of the competition that gives a platform to talented boys and girls between the age of 13 and 17 across the country an opportunity to showcase their talents.
The function was presided over by Ngabirano Joseph Kasenene who represented the chief guest madam Emilly Babirye a KCCA healthy creation officer and the 1st vice Chairperson Kampala Regional Football Association.
Edirisa Kasalirwe Chairman Kampala Regional Football Association, who is also a member on the FUFA disciplinary committee and his 2nd vice chairman Peter Nkugwa also attended the function.
Ngabirano thanked Airtel for the initiative that has seen many youth became stars through this program
“I thank Airtel for this initiative that has given youth across the country a chance to showcase their talents. The program has also produced many stars who have represent the National teams at various football competitions.
Idrissa Kasalirwe, who represented FUFA, praised Airtel for love and support towards football development in the country. I thank Airtel for financing this tournament which has helped FUFA to develop the game by giving young players around the country a platform to expose their talent.
Unlike other years, this launch is one of the 14 launch events that have been carried out at various Airtel Money shops in different districts around the country. The main launch was in Gulu District at Pece stadium.
The tournament slated for to start this month.
The Airtel Rising Stars program started in 2011 and has been a breakthrough for players such as Farouk Miya, Jamal Slim, Moses Waiswa, Kezron Kizito, Allan Okello, Joseph Ochaya, Shaban Muhammad to mention a few.
This year, more than 94 games will be played at district level, from which 8 boys and 8 girls teams will be chosen to advance to the national finals will take place on 7th September in Kampala region.
This year national winners will walk away with 7,000,000/= from 5,000,000/=, while runners up will get UGX5,000,000 from UGX3000,000/= of last year.
Regional winners will get 1,500,000/= from 1,000,000/= last year and runners up will get 1,000,000/= from 500,000/= last year. Other prizes include certificates for all, medals, trophies, golden boot for MVP, phones and various other Airtel Rising Stars merchandise.
Kampala region are the reigning champions in boys category and Kitara region in girls as well .
