From a mere mind idea, Saints Football Academy comes of age

From a mere mind idea, Saints Football Academy comes of age

Two close friends Bruno Bbaale and Isaac Newton Isabirye conceived a notion of starting a football academy.

This dates as far back as moments after completing their secondary school life at Lugazi Mixed SS, Naalya in 2016.

The then brain stormed idea was eventually put on paper and two years later, it came into force (in practice) when Saints Football Academy was born on 5th May 2018.

I and Isaac Newton Isabirye thought of an idea to start a football academy as we were still in school at Lugazi Mixed SS Naalya. We did not lose hope and today, here we are with the Saints Football Academy” Bbaale confesses.

David Isabirye | Kawowo Sports Isaac Newton Isabirye (left) and Bruno Bbaale are the key brains behind Saints Football Academy

Apparently, both Bbaale and Isabirye are at different wavelengths now since Bbaale is enrolled at University of Kisubi (UNIK), pursuing a diploma in Social Works and Social Administration as Isabirye is at Ndejje University for a Bachelors in Business Administration.

Bbaale is now the sports minister at the University of Kisubi and also remains an active player for the university team which recently enrolled for the Pepsi University Football League (UFL).

David Isabirye | Kawowo Sports Saints Football Academy players

Early Days:

Saints Football Academy started with just 8 players and the numbers have todate swollen to 35 ranging from the age groups of 8 to 17 year olds.

The academy has two training grounds at the St Marys College (SMACK) and Mugezi Secondary School playground, both located at the religious hill of Kisubi, off the usually busy Kampala – Entebbe Highway.

The children being trained come from within the Kisubi confines, Kawuku, Namulanda, Buzi, Bwerenga and as far as Kabira (Masaka road).

David Isabirye | Kawowo Sports Saints Football Academy has participated in tournaments and won

Bursary linkage:

One of the benefits of the contemporary talented young footballers is the ability to earn scholarships in primary, secondary and university institutions.

Saints Football Club has also brokered many moves for young footballers to education free education.

“We have links and direct partnership with Landmark Primary school, Ziru and Mugezi Secondary School, Kisubi where the talented footballers are recommended for free bursaries” Bbaale notes.

David Isabirye | Kawowo Sports Coaches in a talk session with players at Saints Football Academy

Besides Mugezi and Landmark schools, Bbaale is also humbled by the tremendous work from the partners and guardians of the children and one other key partner, Santah Films Uganda.

Work in progress:

Bbaale admits that more great things await Saints Football Club and quickly acknowledges that they are still on the pathway to development.

“We are just developing and looking forward to studying the FUFA coaching courses. Also, we want to register the academy with Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) financial resources permitting” he adds.

David Isabirye | Kawowo Sports Players at Saints Football Academy are one happy family.
David Isabirye | Kawowo Sports Some of the young players at Saints Football Academy with their coach

Administrative wing:

Bbaale and Isabirye are the main managers with a couple of coaches that they work with as Peter Mawejje (head coach), Charles Karl Baihaje and Simon Peter Kigozi.

There is shareholder of the academy in Kenneth Bbosa of Mugezi SSS.

Daniel Bameka is also the academy doctor.

With over 400 academies in Uganda, Saints Football Academy aspires to make a bold statement of intent and ink their own visible footmarks.

David Isabirye | Kawowo Sports Charles Karl Baihaje is one of the coaches at Saints Football Academy
David Isabirye | Kawowo Sports Coach Charles Karl Baihaje signs the employment contract

Saints Football Club Administration:

  • Managers: Bruno Bbaale & Isaac Newton Isabirye
  • Coaches: Peter Mawejje ( Head coach), Charles Karl Baihaje, Simon Peter Kigozi
  • Shareholder: Kenneth Bbosa (Mugezi Secondary school, Kisubi)
  • Academy Doctor: Dr. Daniel Bameka
David Isabirye | Kawowo Sports Saints Football Academy players in a group photo

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