SPORTS DIPLOMACY! President Kagame to attend dinner as Ntare OBs storm Kigali for league grand finale

In what many are describing as a powerful push towards people-to-people relations between Uganda and Rwanda, Ntare Lions League’s much-anticipated Season 14 final is set to be played in the heart of Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, on Saturday, March 9th, at the IPRC Stadium.

The league, consisting of Ntare School alumni, has been a source of excitement for both players and fans throughout its 21-week journey, hosted at the Kampala Quality Sports Complex from September 2023 to February 2024.

For the first time in its history, the Ntare Lions League organizers have chosen Kigali as the venue for the grand final, deviating from the traditional locations in Kampala, Mbarara, and Jinja. This move not only marks a significant milestone for the league but also symbolizes the strengthening of people-to-people relations between Uganda and Rwanda that have in the recent past years experienced frosty relations.

Saturday’s highly-anticipated final will be contested between TY Omujuma and Nshera. The showdown is scheduled to kick off at 3:00 pm.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame

The old boys of Ntare School embarked on a memorable journey to Kigali on Thursday, something that has created a social media buzz, with the first wave of enthusiasts arriving in the city today. The soccer pilgrimage has seen alumni opt for diverse travel options, including hiring a convoy of 17 buses for a scenic road trip across the border, while others opted for swift flights.

Today’s highlight will be the NSOBA Dinner hosted at Jalia Gardens in Kigali City, with the distinguished presence of Rwandan President Paul Kagame as the guest of honor. President Kagame, an esteemed alumnus of Ntare School himself, is expected to share in the celebration of this momentous occasion, further affirming the strong bond between the two neighboring nations.

President Kagame’s presence underscores the importance of sports in building bridges between nations, with Ntare School acting as a catalyst for fostering lasting connections beyond borders.