Four Teams Advance to Semi-Finals of Ayivu West Division Christmas Cup
A player of Nyiovurra prepares to head the ball during the quarterfinal game they won against Alivu Ward FC on Sunday. Photo Credit, Andrew Cohen Amvesi
ARUA CITY – Four teams have qualified for the semi-final stage of the Ayivu West Division Christmas Tournament.
The semi-finals, scheduled for Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Ruvu Primary School Ground in Yivu Ward, will feature Yivu Ward FC facing Kubo Ward FC, followed by Nyiovurra Ward FC taking on Adalafu Ward FC. Matches are set to kick off at 2:00 p.m.
The inter-ward tournament, aimed at engaging the youth, featured 18 teams: four from Ayivuni, five from Adumi, and nine from Pajulu (former sub-counties).
Organized by Benard Atiku, the Ayivu West Division parliamentary candidate, the tournament began on December 15, 2025. The finals will take place on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, at Greenlight Stadium in Onduparaka.
The winning team will receive a trophy, gold medals, a cash prize of Shs1 million, a set of classic jerseys, playing boots, and stockings. The runners-up will get Shs500,000, a set of jerseys, and a ball. The third-placed team will receive Shs250,000 and a ball, while the tournament’s top scorer will win a pair of classic playing boots.
According to Kelvin Akua, the youth chairperson for Ayivu West Division in Atiku Benard’s camp, the tournament includes a ladies’ category with teams from three wards: Yivu, Adalafu, and Pokea. Unlike the men’s category, the women’s teams play a league format without semi-finals or quarter-finals. The top team on the table will claim first place, followed by second and third.
Akua noted that the tournament has proceeded smoothly, with no reported incidents of violence, as participants remain excited and focused.
“In Ayivu West, holidays often see youth loitering, abusing drugs, and engaging in risky behaviors that endanger their lives. This tournament has kept them busy, significantly reducing drug abuse and theft,” he said.
In his remarks, Atiku outlined plans to transform the tournament into a structured league next year. It will begin during the first-term holidays, with matches at the cell level within each ward to form ward teams. In the second term, wards will compete to select representatives for the sub-county level. By the third term, qualified teams will advance through quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals.
“I believe engaging youth in sports during holidays helps them avoid anti-social behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse. The excitement here is evident, and they’ve been occupied for the past two weeks. If we keep them busy until the New Year celebrations end, they’ll return to school without having engaged in activities that could ruin their futures or lead to crime,” Atiku said.
He added that the tournament will evolve further, with improved prizes – potentially reaching Shs10 million for the winners in the coming years and become the premier annual event in Ayivu West Division.
“We will identify talent that can join elite clubs and even the national team. The quality of football I’ve seen here shows great potential for these young players to represent clubs and Uganda,” Atiku emphasized.
This initiative underscores Atiku’s commitment to youth development and community engagement in Ayivu West.