Champions in the Making

By Mike Warneke

Well another tournament is in the books for Fields of Dreams Uganda. The day was filled with excitement, and even some tears of defeat, as the children we serve take these championships very seriously. I am always amazed at the pure joy that we witness in these children, as they transform from shy boys and girls into champions. There was much excitement in the air, as day two of our tournament focused on the championship matches. We began the morning with a parade through the community of Mukono on the way to Vision for Africa. We were once again lead by a marching band, and the children filled in behind with school banners and FoDU visors created by our wonderful staff.

The netball games were played first, and it was exciting to see the girls give there all. The staff demarcated the netball court on the football pitch so all of the fans could watch the final schools compete. It is amazing to see how evenly matched the teams are since our first tournament this past June. New Kabaale Busega took the first championship win of the day ousting Vision for Africa in the U-13 division. Quickly following the U-13 game, the girls from Africa Greater Life triumphed over the talented girls from our host school, Vision for Africa, in the U-15 division.

With great anticipation the crowd gathered to witness the first final in our girls football division, with Vision for Africa facing the gifted girls from New Kabaale Busega. What joy as we watched the girls dribble and pass up and down the pitch. Unfortunately, all of the shots during regulation went wide or high, with the exception of a number of aggressive saves by the keeper from New Kabaale Busega. The match ended up heading to penalty kicks, and just like they performed to reach the final, Vision for Africa pulled out the win in the extra frame. What a joy to see Nakato, the young woman who so eagerly demanded that the girls be given a chance to play, stop all of the penalty shots taken against her.  She also scored her shot when she was given the opportunity. On the other side of things, it was sad to see how hard the team from New Kabaale took the loss. My dear friend Ritah had to be helped off of the field by myself and Coach Faridah, as she was overcome with emotion following the match. Her team had played their hearts out, and came up just a little bit short. I am sure this defeat will inspire them to train harder, and be ready for the next tournament in February 2014.

In the U-13 boys football division Blessed Hope Champions Academy took home the championship trophy as they edged out the boys from Vision for Africa. Geoffrey, their captain, scored the lone goal, and also had a number of other near misses. The U-15 boys football final was by far the most exciting game of the day. New Kabaale Busega, and my dear friend Eddie, their captain were facing the boys from Blessed Hope Champions Academy. Dibya William, one of the inspirations for creating Fields of Dreams Uganda, plays for Blessed Hope, and with Eddie on the opposing team, I felt a bit torn on who I would be cheering for during the match. But with crisp passing and excellent finishing, the boys from New Kabaale Busega took home the championship with a score of 3-0.

The trophy presentations and medal ceremonies were very inspiring and touching as you could tell this day was the pinnacle in the lives of the children that FoDU serves. What joy to move around the field taking photos with friends and congratulating all of my dear friends on another day of excellent competition. It is so refreshing to watch these kids get lost in the sports that they love and care so deeply about. All of the kids that we serve have stories of difficulty, yet on this day, they were all champions, and regardless of their pasts, they simply got to relish in the moment of being kids.

If you have followed our trip this past week, we want to thank you for being a part of this beautiful story that is taking place in Uganda. It is our hope and goal to work hard at expanding to four additional campuses in Northern Uganda and we hope that you will consider donating to our cause so that additional children will have the opportunity to achieve their dreams, both on the football pitch, and in life.