Experienced Ugandan beach soccer referee Ivan Kintu Bayige is featuring on the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) referees shortlist from which the final names that will officiate at the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will be selected.
Seychelles will host this premier beach soccer biennial championship from its capital city – Victoria, from May 1st – 11th 2025.
Bayige (left) cautioning a coach during a FUFA beach soccer league game.
Bayige rose to the coveted rank of a FIFA beach soccer referee in 2015, and has since officiated at five Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) finals (December 2016 – Nigeria, September 2018 – Egypt, October 2021 – Senegal, October 2022 – Mozambique and September 2024 – Egypt).
His officiating and game handling at continental competitions has been magnificent throughout, attracting appointments for even global beach soccer events – including some in Dubai.
FIFA has been taking note of his top notch performances, and he is now on the cusp of etching his name in Uganda’s history as the first Ugandan beach soccer referee to officiate at the world cup.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) will contribute five referees to the showpiece but has seven on the shortlist released by FIFA.
Bchir Hamdi from Tunisia, Ishimwe Cynthia (Burundi), Lamghaidar Driss (Morocco), Ndayisaba Ramadhani (Burundi), Ndiaye Cheikh Ahmed Tidiane (Senegal) and Siave Louis from Mauritius complete the pack of African referees on FIFA’s long list.
After more than four months of preparations, the FUFA Beach Soccer League (FBSL) is back! The expectations are always sky high as the new season rolls by with key additions made in most of the competing sides. We are ready for another highly competitive season with a lot of mesmerising talent, excitement and hopefully, a tight battle for the title.
Makerere University Business School (MUBS) has returned to the fold after sitting out the 2023/24 campaign, and this takes the count of competing teams this season to eleven (11) from ten that participated last season.
Bamboo Gardens Beach Soccer Arena in Kasanje will host most of the matches for this term. Five promising fixtures will set the new season into motion this Sunday of November 10, 2024 with the first match kicking off at 1pm prompt.
Super four finalists – Mutoola BSC is set to take on Kampala Junior Team (KJT), MUBS face Grace Church and Mengo Hill.
Buganda Royal will aim to thrill their passionate fans when they face their counterparts – Mengo Hill in a mouth-watering opening day encounter, before Grace Church return to the pitch with Wolves.
Defending champions – St. Lawrence University, Kampala City, MS Sand Lions and Kiringente will join the action on outing number two.
Kampala City pulled off a thrilling super four beach soccer tournament comeback as Ambrose Kigozi inspired a 6-2 win against rivals Mutoola BSC at Kasanje bamboo gardens beach soccer arena.
Oscar Ssendege took advantage of Kampala City’s casual start in the final on Sunday to put Mutoola ahead before he doubled their lead in the first period.
However, the Ab’emikwano rose from the dead and returned for the second period in red hot form – turning the game around for a great win and their maiden trophy in beach soccer as they also etched their name in the history of the super four – as one of the only three clubs to have ever won this competition since its inception in 2021.
They laid siege to Mutoola’s area, and their efforts were rewarded with two goals that drew the game level by the end of the second period. This lease of life was orchestrated by Kigozi.
Ambrose Kigozi smiling with the trophy
Ambrose Kigozi kept the stage alight in the final twelve minutes when he made it five goals to his name before Paul Kato completed the turnaround with a fine strike that sealed the victory for Kampala City. This triumph also marks the first trophy for Ivan Kulika as a coach.
Coach – doctor Ivan Kulika
Semi finals
Mutoola required penalties to see off St. Lawrence University in a pulsating semi-final following a sensational 4-4 draw in normal time. They won 1-0 in spot kicks.
Kampala City defeated Buganda Royal 6-1enroute to the final.
While this tournament is limited to only the top four teams as ranked by the previous season, it was a nail-biting show and a fine way to begin the new beach soccer season – with the FUFA beach soccer league (FBSL) just five days away (set to begin on Sunday November 10).
Two Ugandan referees are in Egypt for the ongoing CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) 2024.
Experienced FIFA beach soccer referees – Ivan Kintu Bayige and Kennedy Bazirio Kawagga are already in the coastal city of Hurghada where the tournament is taking place and they are primed to officiate in key matches of the tournament.
FIFA referee Kennedy Bazirio Kawagga
Ali Mwebe, the only FIFA beach soccer refereeing instructor in Africa, is also on CAF duty as the referees’ instructor for the competition.
Hurghada bound.
Chairman of the Uganda Beach Soccer Association (UBSA) – Deo Mutabazi, who also doubles as the first vice chairman of the Africa Beach Soccer Union (ABSU), is currently airborne heading to Egypt to ensure the tournament runs smoothly.
The involvement of these four Ugandan officials at this continental showpiece will ultimately facilitate the growth and development of beach soccer in Uganda.
BSAFCON 2024 began on Saturday. Hosts Egypt got off to a flying start in group A with a 6-3 victory over Ghana. Morocco had edged Tanzania 4-3 in the opening match of the tournament earlier in the day.
Action continues on Sunday with two matches in group B. Senegal plays Mauritania at 11:30 am before Mozambique and Malawi enters the fray four hours later.
Uganda Beach Soccer Association (UBSA) successfully held its 12th Ordinary General Assembly at Buganda Royal Institute in Mengo, Kampala.
Key stakeholders – including all the 44 beach soccer delegates and officials from the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) convened on Saturday to review, plan and discuss the activities of the association. General Secretary of the Africa Beach Soccer Union (ABSU) Taye Olajide, president of Pro Beach Soccer South Africa – Gordon Masondo and FUFA executive committee member and the executive secretary of football development, Mr. Ronnie Kalema, who represented the FUFA president Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim, followed the meeting via zoom.
UBSA chairman Deo Mutabazi delivering his speech during the assembly
During the assembly, UBSA chairman – Deo Mutabazi presented to the delegates the UBSA activity report for 2023/2024 season, highlighting the various activities his administration undertook since the last ordinary general assembly.
Capacity building (FAMACO1, beach soccer coaching and refereeing courses), super four beach soccer tournament, Muwanguzi Memorial Cup and the FUFA beach soccer league were some of the notable activities the association successfully held in the past season.
“We have had capacity building across all sectors – football administration, refereeing and coaching. This will help us to have professional officials to promote our game,” Chairman Mutabazi said.
“On infrastructure, we added more sand on our beach soccer facility at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru. However, we still have a challenge of inadequate beach soccer facilities in the country.”
“But despite the challenges the association and the clubs are facing, we successfully completed the UBSA league season 2023/24 and the Muwanguzi Memorial Cup. I take this opportunity to congratulate all the teams that took part.”
Mr. Mutabazi re-echoed the importance of developing beach soccer infrastructure in the country, and also revealed that the post COVID-19 pandemic adverse effects continue to impact negatively on the everyday sporting activities of the association.
Multi-million budget for 2024/25 season
The assembly passed a budget of Uganda shillings 389 million for the 2024/2025 season. A considerable part of this budget will go to grassroots development, women’s beach soccer, youth initiatives, and capacity building.
Beach soccer for schools
Beach soccer was introduced in schools in 2023, and the second edition of the schools competition was held at the beginning of September in Soroti.
Joseph Tamale
UBSA executive member Joseph Tamale noted that beach soccer has sparked competition amongst schools, but the shortage of facilities remain a big challenge to developing the game in the learning institutions.
FUFA Football Development Director, Ali Mwebe, who also doubles as the technical director at UBSA, said that the partnership between UBSA and Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) will yield more positive results, and assured delegates that FUFA firmly remain committed to supporting the game.
“UBSA’s partnership with USSSA will expose talented players to become beach soccer professionals. FUFA is also committed to supporting UBSA including both men’s and ladies’ national teams.”
Rewarding outstanding performers
Plans to recognize and award exceptionally talented players and best performing teams in USSSA beach soccer games were also announced during the assembly. This initiative aims to promote competition and excellence amongst beach soccer playing schools in Uganda.
The inaugural awards function will be held this year at FUFA house in Mengo. The awards categories will feature top scorers, best goalkeepers, most valuable players (MVP) and best teams of the just concluded games which include; Standard High School Zzana (Both boys and girls), Teso College Aloet (Boys), Mukono Kings (Girls), Immaculate Heart Secondary School (Girls) and London College of St. Lawrence (Boys).
Forty participants have achieved a significant milestone in their lives by earning qualifications in football management following their successful completion of the Football Administration and Management Course Level One (FAMACO1) on Wednesday.
Former Uganda Cranes forward – Brian Umony (in T-shirt) receiving his certificate from FUFA deputy CEO Decolas Kiiza
Most notable among the graduates at Multitech Business School were two former Uganda Cranes players – Brian Umony and Yasser Mugerwa.
Veteran sports journalists – Lean Ssenyange, Pius Serugo, Peter Tabu, Marble Kebirungi, and Philip Mugabi also successfully completed the three days course and smiled on their way home with honours.
NTV’s Mable Kebirungi (centre) was among the two ladies who completed the course.
Current Sand Cranes players – Baker Lukooya, Allan Katwe, Musa Ssali Kiwanuka and George Stephen Omiat were also part of the class, highlighting the growing importance of planning for life beyond the pitch.
Sand Cranes magician Baker Lukooya (with goggles) is now a certified football manager
The training was insightful and informative for the participants who now have a much improved and positive approach to the game.
Proficient instructors – Ronnie Kalema, Decolas Kiiza and Yusuf Awuye conducted the course, and the trio took the participants through a host of modules including; introduction to football structures, football human resource, football competitions, football fans and importance, football communication, football statutes, football regulations and importance, football protection and match organisation, among others.
Deputy chief executive officer in charge of football at the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) – Decolas Kiiza presided over the closing function of the course, and awarded the duly trained football managers with certificates.
The course was organized by the Uganda Beach Soccer Association (UBSA) in conjunction with FUFA.
Uganda Beach Soccer Association (UBSA)’s executive committee resolved on Tuesday to hold its 12th Ordinary General Assembly on Saturday September 7, 2024 in Kampala.
Buganda Royal Institute Beach Soccer Club will host the Association’s annual general meeting again, for the third time running.
The 44 UBSA delegates will convene for the assembly business starting 10 am at the Buganda Royal Institute conference hall.
UBSA chairman – Deo Mutabazi will chair the assembly where the executive members will deliberate on matters of the association and also provide an account of the previous beach soccer season.
UBSA’s delegates come from the ordinary members of the association who include;
FUFA Beach Soccer League Clubs
FUFA Women Beach Soccer League Clubs
UBSA Lower Leagues Clubs
UBSA Referees
UBSA Players
UBSA Youths
UBSA Coaches
UBSA Schools
UBSA Universities
The Association held its first general assembly in 2013.
St. Lawrence University’s juggernaut continued on Sunday as they successfully defended their title at the FUFA technical centre beach soccer arena in Njeru.
The Saints defeated Kampala City 4-3 in the final to win their fifth consecutive crown but sixth in total following triumphs in 2014, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
A brace from Baker Lukooya, and strikes from Brian Nkuubi and Joshua Letti Lubwama sealed the title for St. Lawrence.
Lukooya opened the scoring for the Saints just seconds into the first period. Before even the dust settled, the crafty forward doubled the advantage for his side to throw Kampala City into a valley of no return. Brian Nkuubi then made it 3-0 for St. Lawrence before the first break.
Brian Nkuubi steering away from his marker
Kampala City waited the second period to wake up from their slumber. Their talisman Paul Lule found the breakthrough for the Ivan Kulika coached side as he scored a brace to reduce the deficit but they allowed Lubwama to arrow in the fourth goal for St. Lawrence which proved to be the match winner.
The Ab’emikwano looked like they would plot a comeback when Ambrose Kigozi struck to put the scores at 4-3 during the second period but it was merely false hope. Despite raising the tempo of their game and putting St. Lawrence on the edge as the game progressed, the third period produced no goal to force Kampala City settle for the silver medals.
Kampala City won silver after finishing second
Enroute to final, St Lawrence outclassed Buganda Royal 5-1 while Kampala City defeated Mutoola 6-4 at the semi-final phase.
Mutoola won the bronze medals, after beating Buganda Royal 5-3 in the third place play-off whilst their star player Steven Nyalimo was named the competition’s most valuable player (MVP).
Mutoola finished third
Edward Kasibante of Buganda Royal received the best goalkeeper award as MS Sand Lions were the fair play team.
St. Lawrence’s Davis Nono was the best coach of the season but Kampala City’s Paul Lule was the top scorer with 47 goals.
MVP Steven Nyalimo (right) receiving his award from chairman UBSA – Deo Mutabazi
Individual Awards
MVP – Steven Nyalimo (Mutoola)
Top scorer – Paul Lule (Kampala City)
Best goalkeeper – Edward Kasibante (Buganda Royal)
Uganda (Sand Cranes) will play Tanzania in the qualifiers of the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers.
Sand Cranes players celebrate after scoring against Tanzania in Cosafa Cup
The first leg of the East African derby will be played between 19th and 21st July in Tanzania, while the return leg will take place between 26th and 28th July 2024 in Uganda, according to the draw conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Thursday in Cairo.
The winner over the two legs will qualify for the Beach Soccer AFCON finals to be played later this year in Egypt.
Sand Cranes’ Baker Lukooya (in yellow) against Tanzania in Cosafa Cup
Fourteen teams including; Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco, Guinea, Angola, Ghana, Mauritania, Tanzania, Uganda, Seychelles, Mozambique, Burundi, Malawi and Ivory Coast will battle through the qualifiers for the seven places available.
After winning their respective doubleheaders, the seven qualified teams will join Egypt who qualified automatically as hosts.
Currently sixth in Africa and 50th in the world – according to Beach Soccer World Wide rankings, Uganda will be hoping to make it to the continent’s biggest beach soccer showpiece for the third time, after featuring in the 2021 and 2022 editions in Senegal and Mozambique respectively.
Sand Cranes celebrate after qualifying for BS AFCON 2022
During the tournament in Senegal, the Sand Cranes finished fourth after losing to Mozambique in the semi-final, and Morocco in the third place play-off. They then finished 5th in the Beach Soccer AFCON 2022 as they defeated Malawi 4-1 on penalties following a six all draw after extra time in the 5th place play-off.
There are just four rounds of fixtures left to end the regular season of the FUFA Beach Soccer League 2023/24. Defending champions St. Lawrence University have already qualified for the championship play-offs, and newbies Kampala City can join them this weekend if they win their two games on Sunday.
SLAU are out of action this weekend but Kampala City meet in massive bouts with play-off hopefuls – Mutoola and Buganda Royal at FUFA technical centre in Njeru. Kampala’s recent showings have been unconvincing but Ivan Kulika’s men walloped a hapless and depleted Kiringente side 24-0 before defeating KJT 6-2 last weekend.
They are now second on the log having played 14 matches so far, counting 36 points, eight behind leaders St. Lawrence who have played two games more.
Therefore, success in their games on Sunday will throw the contest for the top spot widely open.
As St. Lawrence and Kampala City vie for supremacy at the top, the race for the remaining two play-off slots is heating up amongst Mutoola, MS Sand Lions and Buganda Royal. All find themselves in a must win situation to stand a chance of stepping into the elite class although the three can’t all qualify.
The trio have blown hot and cold this season, and stand in positions – three, four and five on the table respectively.
After playing Kampala City, Mutoola meet KJT next while Buganda Royal will face off with Grace Church before entering the big game against Kampala.
