Dokolo, Uganda | Alapata Parish football teams made a commanding start to the Bata Subcounty Football Tournament 2026, defeating Barlela Parish 2-0 in the boys’ category during the opening ceremony held on Saturday, April 25, at Barlela Primary School.
The highly anticipated encounter saw Alapata take control of the game with a goal just before halftime and later sealing the victory with a second strike in the dying minutes of the match. In the girls’ fixture played earlier, both Barlela and Alapata settled for a goalless draw.
The tournament, sponsored by Dokolo North County Member of Parliament-elect Joseph Jones Ogwal, has drawn participation from six parishes, Atabu, Barlela, Ocero, Alapata, Bardege and Apenyo, with matches scheduled to take place over weekends until May 18, 2026.
Representing the MP-elect at the opening event, Amwoma Subcounty outgoing LCIII Chairperson Geoffrey Odur said the competition is intended to unite communities and provide a platform for youth engagement.
Odur noted that the tournament will help young people to know each other, build friendships, and steer away from crime, adding that it will also serve as a scouting ground for talented players.
He explained that there are plans to form a strong team from the constituency that can compete at the national level, including participation in the Federation of Uganda Football Association’s 5th Division League, as well as efforts to rehabilitate playgrounds to promote sports development.
Odur further urged residents to move beyond political differences and work together with the elected leadership to advance development in Dokolo North Constituency.
The tournament is part of Ogwal’s broader agenda to promote sports and culture, nurture talent among the youth, and preserve Lango cultural heritage. He has previously organized similar competitions across the constituency, including a recent Easter tournament in Adok Subcounty, and has supported all 43 parishes with sports equipment such as jerseys and footballs.