BUGOLOBI MARKET WINS INAUGURAL SEVO CUP TOURNAMENT

Bugolobi market has won the inaugural Sevo Cup football tournament after beating Owino Market in a thrilling match played at the Phillip Omondi Stadium in Kampala.

After a goal less full time score, Bugolobi overcame Owino on penalties to secure the trophy during a well-attended match on November 11. Bugolobi won the shootout 4-2 penalties.

There were wild celebrations by the Bugolobi team which came into the game as underdogs. 

Owino also known as St Balikuddembe market dominated the game for the majority period of the game and created more chances but did not have a breakthrough and this cost them the trophy.

Both teams played entertaining football as the youthful players exhibited their talents on a warm sunny Friday evening.

The Chief guest at the event was H.E.  Hon. Jessica Alupo the Vice President of Uganda. She congratulated the leaders of the markets in Kampala for the successful tournament and urged them to take the tournament to other cities. 

"Sevo Cup, is great tournament that brings us together business people and promotes talent. It should be taken to other cities and local governments,” Alupo said. 

She was represented at the event by the Kampala Capital City Authority Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka. 

The Chief guest confirmed that the winners of the football tournament will receive a bus from President Museveni while the ladies team will be awarded a Coaster 

On her part, Kisaka assured the market vendors that the presidential directives aimed at empowering market vendors and streamlining the operations of the market shall be fully implemented.

“The chaos in markets must stop,” Kisaka said, “KCCA will continue to support the vendors to ensure there is effective service delivery,”

Michael Nuwagira aka Toyota the Chairman Team MK attended together with several members of Team Chairman. The NRM chairmen for Central Division Salim Uhuru and Nakawa Division Nicholas Arinitwe were also in attendance, also Afande Damulira and Major Kuteesa attended.

Apart from football, the Sevo Cup tournament also had the netball category, which was won by Owino market who beat Usafi market. 

The tournament which started in September involved all the sixteen government markets and four others. In total Kampala has 84 markets. 

Micheal Nuwagira aka Toyota chairman Team MK, who handed over the winner’s trophy to Bugolobi said Sevo Cup is going to be spread to other sectors and parts of the country.

“What you have started is going to be spread. The Boda Boda and Taxis operators are already asking for it and as Team MK our vision is to promote talent and entertainment across the country. We want to move the football from the TV to our stadiums so that people make money,” Nuwagira said.

He challenged the teams that participated in this year’s tournament to continue training in order to perform better next year.

Susan Kushaba, the Chairperson of Owino market said Sevo Cup was held to appreciate President Museveni for loving the vendors and returning the management of the markets to the vendors, the wanainchi. 

Kushaba commended Team Chairman for the unending support and also thanked KCCA for providing the playing grounds, ambulances, referees and other logistics. 

After on pitch celebrations the champions, walked to Bugolobi through Nakawa holding their trophy high as they celebrated a sweet win that has delivered a bus for the market.