Soltilo Bright Stars' general manager Harold Atukwatse says their recent trip to the Budo League is one of many to come because they want to tap into a new fan base.
A vibrant, loyal legion of fans is one thing Ugandan football clubs, including the traditional ones.
The need for basics like an updated fan register which is usually a starting point to have club merchandise and matchday tickets sold to earn revenue, is lacking.
Uganda Premier League side Soltilo Bright Stars have embarked on a recruitment strategy to tap into the alumina schools football leagues created by old boys of traditional schools.
The Budo, SMACK, and Namilyango Leagues are some of the famous Alum School Leagues played on a seven aside basis at different hang-out spots with mini pitches like Legends Rugby grounds on weekends.
Soltilo Bright Stars' general manager Harold Atukwatse says their recent trip to the Budo League is one of many to come because they want to tap into a new fan base.
"One of the goals has been to take the club beyond Kawempe where its roots are and get new people who appreciate us, and one of the avenues we chose is the schools' leagues," Atukwatse told Pulse Sports.
"We want to recruit young fans because today not many understand the UPL, so the intention was to introduce the team to the Buddo League crowd, a 19-38 age group, to know the players and purchase club merchandise."
Atukwatse also says Bright Stars is building the fan base step by step, with their target to register at least 10,000 fans achievable.
"We target to have at least 10,000 registered fans in the next three years, so the exhibition games are geared towards building a fan base which clubs have ignored," Atukwatse added.
With Bright Stars set to visit the other Schools' League to recruit more fans, it remains to be seen if other top-flight clubs will do the same to increase their support.
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