By Frank Kamuntu

The 15^th Edition of the Chief of Defence Forces Cup Tournament closed on Tuesday at Kalyeka Stadium, Mbarara. The two-week sports event attracted 19 football teams and 12 netball teams from formations and units of Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces.

The breathtaking final match between the Air Force and Engineers Brigade ended in a one-all in the 90 minutes before the Engineers stunned the Airmen with a 4: 1 win in penalty shootouts. Air Force won in netball beating UPDF Headquarters.

Presiding over the closure of the tournament, the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu thanked the formation commanders for their contribution towards the success of the tournament and said that such sporting activities build the spirit of comradeship and gives an opportunity to people to visit parts of their country they may never have known.

He congratulated the participants in all games and sports no matter the final results and assured the teams of the CDF’s commitment towards supporting sports in the UPDF.

Brig Gen Paul Muhanguzi the Acting 2 Infantry Division commended the Division for hosting the tournament and said, “I have no doubt the objectives of the CDF cup were achieved.”

He thanked the Chieftaincy of Education, Sports and Culture for organising and directing the event, Ntare School and Mbarara High School for providing their playing fields for practice by the teams and Mabrara City and Mbarara Primary schools for providing accommodation for the teams.

The acting Chief of Education, Sports and Culture Col Deus Taremwa emphasised that the theme of this year’s tournament demonstrated that the UPDF does not only know how to shoot the gun but also has talent,” he noted. He promised to ensure that the UPDF clubs scout for talent and said that they plan to increase the sports disciplines to include boxing, volleyball, basketball and marathons.

Lt Col Buha Magero, the Director of Finance Wazalendo SACCO and acting MD Wazalendo Investments Ltd said that WAZALENDO as the main sponsors of the tournament shall continue to sponsor sports activities of the UPDF for better performance of the clubs.

The participating teams were from the Special Forces Command, Armoured Brigade, Motorized Infantry, CMI, Magamaga, Field Artillery Division, Jinja Cantonment, Military Police, 1, 2, 3 and 4 Divisions among others.