The inaugural edition of the FUFA Academies League has earned widespread praise from participating coaches and technical officials for providing young footballers with a structured competitive platform to hone their skills and build pathways toward national team selection.
St Mary’s Kitende Soccer Academy were crowned the maiden champions after edging Prosper Soccer Academy 1-0 in a closely contested final, bringing the tournament to a memorable close while demonstrating the vast potential of youth football across the country.
Prosper Coach Jessy Lukoki Highlights Youth Development Pathway
Despite falling short in the final, Prosper Soccer Academy Head Coach Jessy Lukoki expressed immense satisfaction with his squad’s growth throughout the campaign.
“We are happy that the league has given these young players an opportunity to showcase their talent. These are the players we want to see develop as they grow,” Lukoki stated. “This competition gives them a platform to demonstrate what they can do. With basic skills and guidance, I believe they can progress to play at the international level and eventually represent the senior national team.”
Lukoki emphasized that Prosper considers the season a resounding success due to its contribution to Uganda’s national youth setups, including the U-17 and U-20 sides.
Call for Expansion and Increased Investment in the FUFA Academies League
With the inaugural season establishing a firm foundation, coaches are urging the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) to expand the league’s roster of participating academies ahead of the upcoming campaign.
St Mary’s Kitende Head Coach Kabari Michael commended the organizing committee while identifying key logistical hurdles, particularly long-distance travel expenses for upcountry teams.
“For example, a team travelling from Masaka to Kampala may have to make the trip about five times during the tournament,” Michael explained. “While this might be manageable for us at St Mary’s Kitende, it can be difficult for other teams operating with limited resources.”
In addition to easing travel demands, coaches emphasized the necessity of increased sponsorship and financial support for academy trainers who dedicate their expertise to grassroots development.
As youth football structure continues to evolve across local leagues covered on Daily Sports Africa, sustained investment in the FUFA Academies League remains critical for nurturing the next generation of Ugandan international stars.
