FIFA analysis of talent development for boys and girls under the theme of FIFA Youth Programs is soon taking place and the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has selected 13 teams to be analysed and assess their talent development levels.
Ali Mwebe, the Football development Director at FUFA, in his circular FUFA/YOUTH/03/06/20 asserts that this FIFA innitiative is meant to address the football problems at grass root levels facing member associations of FIFA.
One of the sides to be assessed is Rays of Grace Academy. The side formed in 2015 has greatly impacted on Ugandan football. Duelling in Njeru Municipality, the academy which is housed at Rays of Grace Junior School has already tasted success; winning Airtel rising Stars in 2018 and 2019 before clinching the Uganda Youth Football Association (UYFA) championship.The side went on to win the innaugural FUFA Primary Schools’ championship (Odilo) in 2019 and represented Uganda in the East African Championships where they finished third.
The academy has produced the U15 national team captain in the names of Mulema Vincent who guided the side to victory in inaugural CECAFA U15 Boys Challenge Cup held in Asmara, Eritrea in August 2019. Uganda beat Kenya 4:0 in the finals played at Asmara International Stadium. Kasaanya Lawrance is another star from Rays of Grace on the U15 national team. He is well remembered for his lone goal in Odilo finals which gave his side victory over Oasis Annex from West Nile. U15 natioanal teal Goalkeeper Daniel Kirumira is also from Rays of Grace.
Other players produced by Rays of Grace iclude: Travis Mutyaba, Issa Bugembe, Davis Sekajugo, Andrew Kirunda, Matthias Kasadha and Julius Kintu.
Speaking about the cause, FUFA Football Development Director Ali Mwebe had this to say;
For the year 2020, FIFA has set to analyze the global football ecosystem with analysis in each of the participating Member Associations to develop a better global understanding of talent development for boys and girls, to make observations that match the national reality in recent years and to identify critical success factors. Each of the 13 teams that will be engaged online for the above analysis by FIFA through a Belgian Company “double pass”.
The another teams selected by FUFA to undergo FIFA
Academies:
• Vipers Junior Team
• KCCA Junior Team
• Kampala Junior Team
Girls Football:
• Kawempe Muslims Secondary School
• Uganda Martyrs High School
• Taggy High School
• Isra Soccer Academy
Boys Football
• Rays of Grace Junior Academy
• Alfa Football Academy
• Sparta 09 Football Academy
• Lion Sport Soccer Academy
• Kasese Bronken Sports Academy
Boys & Girls Football:
NB: Each of the selected team has up to Monday June 8, 2020 as deadline to confirm their participation.
