The Kids League Uganda
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It is a hot and dry October morning on a Saturday in Gulu Town. Crowds of children stride purposefully down the dusty roads leading to Pece Stadium. Inside the stadium, a few parents stand on the sidelines, chatting together while keeping an eye on clusters of players milling about on the pitch. Boys and girls watch each entrance to the field expectantly, awaiting any sign of arrival from The Kids League Uganda staff. With registration for TKL football and netball activities scheduled to begin at eight, the playing field is swarming by seven-thirty with young athletes eager to occupy one of the spots in the popular town league. Conversations focus on memories of the previous TKL season, with speculations about who the Most Valuable Player might have been. At the end of the day, 378 players will be selected to mark the beginning of seven fun-filled weeks of a new TKL Gulu season! In communities such as Gulu that face complex problems resulting from insecurity, displacement and poverty, many children must forego ‘normal’ childhood experiences. By missing out on the chance to indulge curiosities and develop new skills, kids also miss out on opportunities to form bonds and gain leadership qualities that are vital to the improvement of their lives and communities. The Kids League Uganda was started in Gulu in June 2004 to help meet these needs with a |
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mission to promote health, life skills and fun for boys and girls through sport. Through basic sports programming, some of the children whose lives have been drastically affected by the ongoing conflict in Northern Uganda now have an opportunity to develop skills such as discipline, respect and commitment in a nurturing environment. Former abductees, orphans, and night commuters all have participated in The Kids League — helping to reduce the stigma they face within their social groups. After a successful first year, TKL expanded to five other districts, including Kitgum, Arua, Lira and Kumi. Within the Northern Districts, smaller leagues are also operational within five Internally Displaced Persons Camps. These leagues are a source of entertainment for entire communities! Excited sports fans in each new district have embraced the project, participating as volunteers and turning out in astounding numbers to witness TKL events. A September visit to Arua with the Kampala Kids |
League Eurotour Team generated crowds of close to 8000 spectators!
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As the TKL programme expands to more districts, so does its scope. Health and education have been included as main components of the Arua, Lira and Kumi district projects. By training peer leaders in these topics through TKL Youth Ambassador Clubs and assisting them in the development of youth-focussed outreach programmes to schools within each district, TKL aims to reach greater numbers within the community with messages encouraging healthy living, child-parent dialogue, and regular school attendance. Teamwork, fair play and responsibility are all necessary ingredients for the achievement of success both on and off the playing field. These traits are emphasized in every aspect of TKL programming. Through sport, tribal, religious and socio-economic differences also become |
less important. As a volunteer coach from TKL Gulu was said, “TKL has created a very big impact because it is bringing together kids from schools, the street, and orphanages and making them all friends.”
A sense of friendship and unity develops among the children on the field, or through the YA Club, which continues long after the activity has ended. While engaged in league activities and TKL community outreach programmes, children are also encouraged to lead positive lives by making healthy choices and taking their education seriously. The presence of The Kids League in Gulu, Kitgum, Arua, Lira and Kumi will hopefully contribute to future generations of “champions” — in sport and beyond!!!
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The Kids League Uganda is registered as a Non Governmental Organization with the Government of Uganda. Trevor Dudley founded TKL after six years of work developing Kampala Kids League into a sustainable voluntary association. TKL relies extensively on the experience and example of Kampala Kids League as well as The Kids League Foundation — a UK-based dedicated to fundraising and networking for KKL and TKL on an international level. The Kids League Uganda operates with the generous support of UNICEF, UPHOLD and USAID in addition to corporate sponsors Stanbic Bank, MTN, Celtel and General Machinery. |
For more information regarding TKL’s programmes, visit our offices or contact us at:
Box 8392
Plot 35, Nakasero Road
Kampala
Tel: 041-234650
Email: tkluganda@utlonline.co.ug
Website: www.kidsleaguefoundation.org
