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It’s now a tradition in Tanzania for clubs like Simba, Young Africans, Azam FC and Singida Fountain Gate, who organise club-themed fan days filled with pomp and thrill aimed at entertaining their respective fans before a new season gets underway.
Once again, the new football season is upon us worldwide; here in Uganda, the StarTimes Uganda Premier League is still a few weeks away, but the Women’s CAF Champions League qualifiers and the FUFA Super 8 have already set the tone.
It’s now a tradition in Tanzania for clubs like Simba, Young Africans, Azam FC and Singida Fountain Gate, who organise club-themed fan days filled with pomp and thrill aimed at entertaining their respective fans before a new season gets underway.
The clubs usually choose a theme that relates to their fans; Young Africans take it a step further by carrying out corporate social responsibility with a selected community in Tanzania, usually orphanages or visiting elderly homes where they distribute essential items.
In Uganda, KCCA FC set the tone when they organised their first-ever club day dubbed ‘Ekyiri e Lugogo’ on 4th August, inviting Kenyan side Kakamega Homeboyz for an international club friendly, which the hosts went on to win 2-0.
The day was filled with fanfare and artists’ performances led by local female crooner Spice Diana the headline act who got the KCCA FC players and backroom staff on their feet, dancing and singing along to her hits on the podium.
The Simba and Yanga days are the most popular club-themed events in the region. However, Rayon Sport in Rwanda also took on the idea as they hosted Kenya Police FC on 6th August, losing 1-0 in the club friendly.
The fun-filled fetes offer various opportunities to the clubs like fan engagements, fan registration, selling of club merchandise, introducing the new signings and also creating partnerships on and off the pitch with the visiting team.
Ugandan football clubs, especially the traditional sides like Express FC and S.C Villa, along with Vipers SC, should embrace the initiative as it goes a long way in attracting and building a solid fanbase before the season begins.
Top Ugandan artists are affiliated with some traditional clubs like Eddy Kenzo, a renowned S.C Villa fan; Ykee Bender, a Vipers fan; Afrigo Band’s Moses Matovu (S.C Villa), etc.
Music and sport have always walked hand in hand, and the fans don’t only need to watch the football played on the pitch every season but also the thrill and pomp that comes with it; the clubs need to take on the initiative.
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