By Prosper Gibolo
Ngora Football Club has been awarded 150,000Ksh, approximately 4.2 million Ugandan shillings and a Trophy for winning the inaugural Ateker Cup of Nations Tournament, held in Turkana, Kenya between 18th and 21st of April, 2025 .
Ngora football club emerged winners after beating Kakuma United Football team in penalty shoot-out 5:4 in the final of the tournament played on Monday at Lodwar Mixed Primary School playground.
Godfrey Olupot, the head manager Ngora football club commended the organizing committee for having invited the team for the tournament.
Olupot revealed that the players will now turn their focus in the upcoming North East regional games for the team.
Ngora football club and four others had been invited for the Ateker cup of nation 2025 tournament.
The other teams are Agape United Football team, Karamoja Football team and Katakwi United football.
The tournament had a total of over 24 football teams from Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda.
The governor of Turkana County Jeremiah Ekamais Lomorukai Napotikan, who was the patron of Ateker Cup of Nations tournament wrote on his Facebook page “The curtains have closed on the inaugural Ateker Cup of Nations in Lodwar, marking a monumental achievement for our region. I enjoyed matches in the final day with leaders including Cabinet Secretary for EAC, ASALs & Regional Development Beatrice Askul; FKF President Hussein Mohammed; and Uganda’s Minister for Karamoja Affairs Peter Lokeris”.
He said that the tournament has showcased football talent which is in abundance in the region and demonstrated the powerful unifying force of sports.
“We witnessed how football can bring together communities from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and South Sudan in a celebration of shared heritage and friendly competition. Congratulations to Ngora FC from Uganda on their well-earned victory, we equally applaud Kakuma United FC for reaching the finals, and all participating teams for their skill and sportsmanship that made this tournament truly special ”, Ekamais added.
According to him, with the success of the first edition, they are looking forward to building on this foundation in future tournaments.
