Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II Inaugurates the Exciting 2023 Airtel-Bika Tournament
The Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II presided over the first matches of the 2023 Airtel-BIKA competition at Wankulukuku stadium, in addition to Airtel Uganda, the official partner. Through football and netball competitions, the festival hopes to discover young people with talent.
The annual grassroots competition called the BIKA Games brings together the 56 clans that make up the Buganda region, including the Abalangira royal clan, which is represented by the Buganda totems, and several districts that surround Buganda.
The BIKA Games officially started on Monday May 15th, 2023, and are expected to last for three months. Over 1100 boys and 440 girls from 56 clans will attend the games, where they will play football and netball matches before more than 80,000 spectators
“We are pleased to join Buganda Kingdom in the 2023 BIKA Tournament preparations,” said Ali Balunywa, Sales Director at Airtel Uganda. “Sports not only provides entertainment for communities, but it also gives the youth in Buganda and throughout Uganda an avenue to showcase their talent and transform their lives through participation in national or regional competition once an opportunity is presented.”
“We believe that the BIKA tournament is another platform where young people can enhance their talent and professional development,” Balunywa continued. “Tournaments like the Masaza Cup have produced great talent, including Farooq Miya from Mawokota who is currently playing for aykur Rizespor, a Turkish football club, and Frank Ssebufu from Buddu who is currently with the Uganda Cranes and Wakiso Giants, among other players who are active.
In the first game, Ngabi Nsamba kicked off the 2023 Airtel sponsored Bika Bya Baganda sports tournament (football) with a 3-1 victory over a 10-man Nkima side at the Mutesa II Wankulukuku stadium in Kabowa on Saturday, May 13.
Meanwhile, Nkima won the netball duel with a commanding 43-30 result over Ngabi Nsamba.
“Airtel Uganda has been a key partner in the BIKA Tournament preparations, and I appreciate them for their helpful support of the Kingdom’s initiatives like the BIKA Games, Masaza Cup, and Kabaka Birthday Run, among other projects we co-host.” Katikkiro Mayiga.
As he concluded, Katikkiro Mayiga congratulated the day’s victors and encouraged people to go in big numbers and watch the games for the next three months until the finals where the BIKA champions will be crowned.
