Hon. Serwanga Ssalongo addressing football managers
Hon. Serwanga promised that the Ministry he leads together with the Buganda Kingdom, will continue to support individuals and various organisations that contribute to the success of the Masaza Cup tournament.
He emphasised that the tournament plays a crucial role in nurturing talent, creating job opportunities, bringing joy, and fostering unity among the people.
The Chairperson of the Masaza Cup Organising Committee, Hajj Sulaiman Ssejjengo, also confirmed that the Masaza Cup has now reached a professional level.
He encouraged everyone to start preparing themselves to ensure they are not left behind but instead develop their skills to meet the growing demands of the tournament.
Hon. Serwanga Ssalongo with football managers and some players
“In 2004, when the tournament began, we only had referees with some level of expertise. But as the years have gone by, we have steadily gained professionals in different fields such as coaches, doctors, security personnel, team leaders, and others.
Now is the time for each person to take responsibility and acquire the necessary skills required for their role,” Ssejjengo explained.
All this is happening at a time when the 21st edition of the Masaza Cup has already kicked off with one match per county. During the tournament's launch, the Katikkiro (Prime Minister of Buganda) announced that starting next year, all Masaza teams will be registered as official clubs, enabling them to operate in a more professional manner.
The four (4) training sessions have included expert trainers from various fields such as refereeing, media, medical care, and security.