Buyaga West Football club was today crowned champions of the Fourth CNOOC Bunyoro Amasaza Cup after scoring 5 goals in penalties against Buliisa Football club that scored 4 goals in the finals played at Sir Tito Owinyi Grounds.

The final match has been officiated by his Highness the Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Solomon Iguru Gafabusa among other dignitaries.

The new champions have been awarded gold medals and a bull by the King of Bunyoro Kitara, together with Zakalia Lubega, the CNOOC Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, also sponsors of the tournament for the fourth year running. The first runners up, Buliisa Football Club received silver medals and a bull while third placed Bugangaizi Football Club received bronze medals and a goat.

While presiding over the championship, the Omukama of Bunyoro Solomon Gafabusa , has expressed appreciation for CNOOC Uganda’s partnership and support since they set foot in Bunyoro. He encouraged the youth to unite and work together for the development of their communities and Bunyoro in its entirety.

“We have got a good neighbor and partner in CNOOC, Uganda. They sponsored the inaugural CNOOC Bunyoro Amasaza Cup last year, as they have this year. As the people of Bunyoro we should take this partnership forward but also use the opportunities brought about by such opportunities to unite and move forward through development.”

The tournament, in its fourth year, was played across all sub counties in Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom. The month-long tournament attracted five districts in the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom including Kiryandongo, Bulliisa, Hoima, Masindi and Kibaale and 74 teams participated. Zakalia Lubega congratulated the winners and encouraged them to continue with talent development.

“We believe that the energy and talent exhibited in this tournament will inspire even more young people to develop and grow their talent further not just in Bunyoro but also take on national and international sports stages. As your partners, we pledge to walk with you on this journey to grow talent, come together through sports and develop Bunyoro,” He said.

He affirmed that CNOOC Uganda’s support to programs in line with the kingdom’s development priorities highlights the company’s commitment to promote economic and social development in Uganda as a responsible oil and gas corporation.

“CNOOC Uganda will continue working together with you to promote talent and invest in social enterprises such as education, health and environment management, in addition to its core business in the oil and gas industry,” He added.

CNOOC Uganda is a subsidiary of CNOOC Limited China’s largest producer of offshore crude oil and natural gas and one of the world’s largest independent oil and gas exploration and production companies. CNOOC became a major player in Uganda’s oil and gas sector in February 2012 following the acquisition of significant interests in three exploration blocks in the Albertine region. In September 2013,CNOOC Uganda became the first oil company to be awarded an oil production license for the Kingfisher area.

At the launch of this year’s tournament at Kiryandongo, CNOOC Uganda Limited handed over a 90 million sponsorship package which included 70 footballs for the 74 participating teams, uniforms and jerseys for 15 County teams; transport, accommodation, allowances to officials, first aid kits, and glucose for the players. Support also included the trophy, gold, silver and bronze medals as well as a bull, and a goat for the winning teams. The company also provided whistles for the referees who oversaw the football matches.

By Joshua Mutale