All work without play makes Jack and a dull boy, so goes the popular adage.

For the very first time in Bangalore, the Uganda Students Association, Bangalore (USAB) with the support of well wishers and Garden City College through its initiative, Emphasis is on Life, organized an international football tournament at the Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) recently.

The week-long tournament saw participants from Uganda, Tanzania, Yemen, Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Sudan and India showcase their football talents.

The first game between the two rivals, Uganda and Tanzania, was considered by many to be the best of the games played before the finals. The two sides showed a lot of quality and skill in their match which left the spectators yearning for more.

The biggest upset of the tournament came from the ‘Group of Death’ featuring Uganda, Tanzania, Yemen and Naga. Yemen proved to be the whipping boys of the Group losing all its matches including an 8 -0 whitewash by Naga, the team representing India.

At the end of the five-days, tournament, two teams – Tanzania and Ivory Coast made it to the finals. The two sides lived up to the expectations of the spectators with a mouth watering contest in the final. At the end of a grueling 90 minutes, it was Ivory Coast who emerged victors with a solitary first half goal to bag the winner’s trophy and gold medals. Naga team took the third place.

Speaking at the awards presentation function, the guests at the tournament appreciated the efforts of USAB through its President, Mutabi Abdul and his Executive Committee for taking the initiative to organize the tourney, and also the teams that took part.

Athika of Naga, nicknamed ‘Messi’ was adjudged the player of the tournament having shown great potential and dribbling skills akin to Barcelona’s star, Lionel Messi. Joseph Aka from Ivory Coast was the tournaments top scorer with 11 goals to his name.

In his message to the participants and organisers, Dr. Joseph V.G., Chairman, Garden City Group of Institutions reiterated the importance of sports in unifying people from diverse backgrounds. “Throughout the world, today, sport is playing a great role in bringing people together. It is important that students do their part and engage in such activities.”

USAB on its part would like to thank all those who contributed to the success of the tournament. The event was one of the many activities the student’s body has planned to organise this year for the benefit of the international students and their hosts.

Ssentongo Douglas

General Secretary, USAB