December 17, 2023
For the children we serve in the slums of Wakiso and Kampala, football is usually played on patches of uneven, dusty ground, dodging rocks and open drainage channels. Goals are marked by old tires or piles of shoes. Their “uniforms” are mismatched t-shirts.
But talent doesn’t care about geography. Some of the most incredible natural ability you will ever see is found on those dusty pitches.
Yesterday, to close out a long and difficult year, Fecane Child Foundation decided that talent deserved a proper stage. For one glorious day, we took over the historic Old Kampala Secondary Stadium. We traded the dust for real green grass, the tire markers for professional goal nets, and anonymity for the spotlight.
Leveling the Playing Field
This tournament was specifically designed for the “forgotten children”—the youth teams operating deep inside the informal settlements that never get invited to corporate-sponsored leagues.
Organizing 17 separate teams from different zones was a massive logistical undertaking for our staff and volunteers, but the moment the first whistle blew, it was worth it.
Seeing these young players step onto a real stadium pitch was profound. You could see their posture change. They weren’t just “slum kids” kicking a ball around to pass the time; they were athletes competing in a professional venue. It was a powerful reminder that dignity often starts with the environment we provide.
“Joy is not a luxury reserved for the rich. The right to play, compete, and be celebrated is fundamental to every childhood, regardless of a child’s zip code.”
The Battle of 17 Teams
The energy inside the stadium was electric. Seventeen teams battled through the brackets with an intensity that would rival the Premier League. The skill on display was breathtaking—raw, unfiltered, and passionate.
These children face immense challenges every day—hunger, unstable housing, the pressure to drop out of school. But for 90 minutes on that pitch, all of that faded away. There was only the ball, the team, and the goal.
Medals, a Trophy, and… The Goat!
By late afternoon, two teams remained. The final match was a tense, high-skill affair that went down to the wire.
When the final whistle blew, the celebrations began. We ensured that every participant felt valued, but the closing ceremony was special. We handed out real, heavy medals that the players wore with immense pride. We presented a gleaming trophy to the captains.
But the real excitement was for the grand prize. In true Ugandan celebratory fashion, the champions didn’t just win silverware; they won a magnificent, healthy live goat.
As the sun set over Old Kampala, the image of the winning team hoisting the trophy with one hand and holding the prize goat with the other was the perfect end to 2023. It was a day of pure, chaotic, wonderful joy.
The stadium is empty today, and the children have returned to the difficult reality of life in the slums. But they have returned with memories that will last a lifetime.
Help us ensure that in 2024, we can provide more than just one day of joy. Help us provide year-round support through sports and education programs. Become a 2024 Monthly Sports Sponsor
