About Bukoba

Bukoba is located in the region of Kagera, in the north-western corner of Tanzania. It is a fast growing town, situated on the shores of Lake Victoria. The Kagera region neighbors Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi and lies across the lake from Kenya.

Kagera is one of the poorest regions in Tanzania, where malaria continues to claim the lives of thousands of children every year. The region has the lowest life expectancy rate of 45 years, with death rates exceeding birth rates.

The spread of HIV/AIDS is devastating the area. In 1983, Kagera was the first region in Tanzania to identify HIV/AIDS. By 1986 HIV/AIDS had spread to the whole country. The constant influx of refugees from the conflicts in Burundi and Rwanda, has also worsened the economic infrastructure of the region. In 1994 alone the region received more than 500,000 refugees from the horrific genocide that happened in Rwanda.

Bukoba Kids History

Bukoba Kids was founded in December 2006 in Bukoba, Tanzania. The 45 most talented football players under 17 years where selected from all over the Kagera region. Four footballs were bought and the local football stadium in Bukoba was rented every afternoon to train these young talented football players.

Two football teams were created (10 – 14 years, 15 – 17 years). The two teams trained daily and eventually had their debut performance in the Tanzania national Coca Cola youth competition in March 2007.

Pushed forward by the overwhelming interest and enthusiasm from youths in and around Bukoba, the number of teams within Bukoba Kids has grown rapidly to 3 boys and 1 girls team.

Why Bukoba Kids?

Although football/soccer is very popular in Tanzania and there are many talented players, there are no programs or organizations in Tanzania to train and educate young talented players. This situation is primarily a result of lack of financial and material support, lack of volunteer leaders and the lack of sufficient know-how on coaching and administration.

Bukoba Kids Sports Club was founded to fill this gap, by providing children in and around Bukoba with sports training and other relevant skills. In addition to the sportive challenge, Bukoba Kids recognizes a clear social need that can be met with our organization.

Sports - from play and physical activity to organized competitive sports - have an important role in all societies, as it can be a tool to meet many development and social challenges Through sports it is possible to teach core values such as co-operation and respect. To bring individuals and communities together and to bridge cultural and ethnic divides.

Furthermore, sports enhance a child’s growth and development and improve the general health, which makes children more resistant to diseases.

Bukoba Kids objectives

Bukoba Kids wants to be the leading youth sports club in the Kagera region and to set an example for the rest of Tanzania, by creating a professional environment where young talented players will be trained and empowered to make the most out of their sports and their personal development.

• To discover, develop, promote and maintain the talents of young sports players in Kagera.
• Provide education and guidance to the club members including HIV and AIDS awareness.
• Train club members in fitness and wellness.
• To promote community development through sports.
• Improve the livelihoods of youth in Kagera by promoting their talents.
• To promote gender equality through sports.
• To be an example and an inspiration to young people in Tanzania.

Bukoba Kids organization

Bukoba Kids Sports Club had been registered with the Tanzanian Football Federation and has no religious or political affiliation.

Currently there are two coaches working for Bukoba Kids, both former football players from the Tanzania National League. Together with two assistant coaches, they train the children everyday from 16.00 to 18.30 in Kaitaba Stadium in Bukoba.

The Bukoba Kids Sports Club board consists of five people: a chairman, a treasurer, a technical director, a secretary and the football manager.
Besides offering the children football training and health and hygiene education, the club also pays for their schoolbooks and feeds the children after every practice and every game.