Amb Yahya Hails Uganda Hippos for Defending Cecafa Championship Title in Sudan
H.E. Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu, the ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to Khartoum, Sudan, has congratulated the HIPPOS, U20 Uganda National Team, on winning the Central of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) championship and earning a spot in the Under 20 Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) - Egypt 2023
Amb Yahya Hails Uganda Hippos for Defending Cecafa Championship Title in Sudan
H.E. Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu, the ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to Khartoum, Sudan, has congratulated the HIPPOS, U20 Uganda National Team, on winning the Central of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) championship and earning a spot in the Under 20 Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – Egypt 2023.
Omdurman – Khartoum, Sudan, Uganda defeated South Sudan 2:1 in the U-20 AFCON qualifying matches for the CECAFA finals, which were held on Friday, November 11, 2022 at Al-Hilal Stadium, to qualify for AFCON 2023 and retain the regional title.
The U20 Continental Cup will also feature teams from Libya from the North Zone (UNAF), Zambia from the South Zone (COSAFA), Senegal from the West B Zone (WAFU-UFOA B), the champions from the finals of the West Zone A (WAFU-UFOA A), and the finalist from the Central Zone (UNIFFAC).
Ambassador Ssemuddu praised the young players for their energy and dedication, stating that as athletes they are the best Ugandan ambassadors who are promoting and popularizing the Pearl of Africa for advantageous reasons.
He urged them to practice strict discipline both on the field and in the neighborhoods where they live, travel, and play as public figures who always represent our nation.
The Ambassador emphasized the value of sports as a legitimate career that should be taken seriously, just like any other career that allows actors to earn a lot of money to support themselves, and that promotes growth and development while keeping oneself physically fit, morally upright, and physically healthy.
Dr. Ssemuddu commended the Government of Uganda for its investment in sports through strategic planning at the highest level of policy formulation and implementation, budget prioritization, and effective leadership of the NRM Administration under a President who genuinely cares about the Bazukulus, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and Ministry of Education and Sports managed by the First Lady, the Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni, with Sports docket placed under youthful State Minister, the Hon.
The athletes
“The future is absolutely assured with our Government,” he said.
Through the team captain Hajji Juma Abdullahamid MARIJAN, Ambassador Ssemuddu expressed his gratitude to the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) and congratulated FUFA President, the Hon. Eng. Moses Hassim Magogo.
He expressed his respect for the U20 Manager, Coach, and the entire FUFA Team for their steadfast efforts in forging a potent group of players.
On October 26, the players were formally welcomed to Sudan by the ambassador, the head of chancery, Mr. Dickson Ogwang, and the accounting officer, Mr. David Wamono.
He attended every Uganda match in person and joined the CECAFA champions, flanked by officials from the Ugandan Embassy, notably the defense attaché Brig. Gen. Fred Karara, in celebrating Uganda’s victory at Al-Hilal Stadium in Sudan.
When the team left Khartoum at daybreak on Saturday, November 12th 2022, they did so in a celebratory mood and boarded Ethiopian Airlines for Entebbe. Ambassador Dr. Ssemuddu wished the team well in their AFCON campaign in 2023 and bade them farewell.
