The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has announced an increase in the cash prize of this year’s NSSF KAVC International tournament, as well as an increase in total sponsorship package from 130 million last year to 180 Million this year.
The winners for both Men and Women categories will bag USD 2500, the runners’ up USD 1,500 and the third place team USD $1000. It is a significant increase from last year when winners for both Men and Women categories took home USD 1,000, the runners’ up USD 500 and the third place team USD 300.
This year’s tournament will take place from 2nd to 4th August 2019 at Lugogo Indoor Arena and the Hockey Grounds.
Announcing the sponsorship, NSSF Deputy Managing Director, Patrick Ayota told the media in Kampala that an increase in prize money is intended to motivate and boost competition among the participating teams.
“As the tournament grows locally and regionally, it is important that our support matches the importance of this competition to both our Ugandan clubs and the others within the region. It is also important that we motivate the teams and reward the hard work that goes into preparing for a tournament of this magnitude,” he said.
He added that the Fund’s support to this tournament is in line with its social responsibility intervention to support youth initiatives.
“We are glad to play our part, along with other partners in sports, to nurture and grow local talent by exposing our Ugandan teams to the highest level of competition available in the region.”
“I liked what I saw from our Ugandan teams last year. I would like to challenge you to keep the trophies home,” Ayota added.
Kampala Amateur Volleyball Club (KAVC) President Milly Kure appreciated how far NSSF has brought the tournament and individual players for the last 11 years.
“The tournament provides a strong platform for individual players to showcase their talent and many of our players have competently utilized this opportunity and have been able to join professional clubs abroad,” Kure the KAVC said.
“Some of those players include Ronald Kitusi and Emma Kato playing for Kirehe club in Rwanda, Sharon Amito playing for UTB-Rwanda, Daudi Okello in Turkey and Cuthbert Malinga playing for Marek Union-Ivkoni in Bulgaria. This has reinstated hope in the younger players and rekindled the essence of Volley ball in Uganda” she said.
The funds will be used to boost the preparations and the tournament itself.
The cash support will go towards hiring competition venues, purchase of competition and technical equipment, cash prizes and accolades for outstanding players, teams working lunches, Referees and officiating expenses, and a publicity drive.
The 2019 NSSF KAVC International has attracted about 40 teams from Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, South Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania.
Ugandan teams are expected to put up a spirited performance at the back of their excellent showing in last year’s tournament.
Uganda’s KAVC and Ndejje University for Men and Women categories respectively are the defending champions.
The two experienced sides overcame Rwanda’s Gisagara Volleyball Club and Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) in tightly contest climax to the tournament last year.
