On Friday, April 17, Gomba Football club announced that sports journalist David Isabirye would lead their media team for the upcoming 2020 Masaza Cup.
The four time winners are eyeing a fifth ever crown and are understood to already have shaped up both their team and non-playing staff despite the on-going Covid-19 pandemic that has put sport to a halt.
Sspeaking exclusively to PML Daily, Isabirye who is a writer with On-Line sports giants Kawowo Sport reveled why he took up the role.
“It has been a while since Gomba approached me about taking up the role but i had to take my time so as to make the best decision, revealed Isabirye.
“I was hesitant to take up the role because i did not see my self as a media officer and wanted to concentrate on my journalism job.
“I have had similar offers in the past from clubs like URA FC, SC Villa and Vipers SC but i just didn’t see my self doing such a job.”
Isabirye noted that the pleasure to serve both the Kabaka of Buganda and the Kingdom as a whole was key to saying yes to arguably the biggest club in the Masaza tournament.
“I consulted several people who insisted that i take up the rule because i was to serve the Kabaka and Buganda Kingdom as a whole.
“The chance to serve the Kabaka and Buganda drove me to accepting the role.
“The other thing was that, this is just a three months tourney so it will not hinder me from doing my work at Kawowo.”
The Masaza cup is arguably the fastest growing football tournament in Uganda and it continues to grow with each passing year.
From the crowds that matches pull on a weekly basis to the money involved, it continues to be an envy for most of the other tournaments.
However, in terms of publicity especially for the teams involved, it has been lacking to a certain degree and that is what Isabirye plans to address at Gomba.
“My role at Gomba will be making sure that they get the mileage they deserve in the media especially social media.
“In the past, the tournament has been excellently publicized so i want Gomba to move along with the trend that the whole tournament has embraced.
“For 2020, i want to access my work and see how-more visible i can make Gomba and see if i will continue to execute the same role in future.”
Isabirye is a re-known sports writer but also featured in the Masaza tournament for several years.
Isabirye was captain of Busiro for two editions in 2006 and 2009.
He featured in two finals in 2011 and 2012 with Bulemezi, winning the tournament for the latter.
The other Masaza clubs he featured for include Kooki and Mawogoola, playing under Abdallah Mubiru at the latter.
Having featured in the tournament before, Isabirye is optimistic that experience will enable him execute his new role better at Gomba.
“When i played in the Masaza, there wasn’t much in terms of money like it is now.
“It is a tournament that i know i will serve well because i know it inside and out having played in it in the past.
“I hope Gomba is successful this year, my very first as their media officer.”
According to the list that was revealed, Gomba will be led by chairman Mansoor Kabugo with Gerald Byansi as his second in command.
The Masaza Cup is expected to start as soon as the Covid-19 pandemic is overcame.
Bulemezi are the defending champions of the competition having defeated Busiro 1-0 in last year’s final played at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.
Gomba, with four titles, are the record winners of the 16-year old tournament.
