Kagwa League triumph at Inaugural Mental Health Awareness football league, 1K campaign officially launched
1st Mental Health Awareness Football League: The first ever Mental Health Awareness football gala, organized by the Gracy Minds Empowerment Initiative Uganda was a total success. Despite a last minute change of venue from the MTN Omondi stadium, Lugogo to the nearby Legends Rugby grounds Naguru; organizations and agencies still showed up. By close of […] The post Kagwa League triumph at Inaugural Mental Health Awareness football league, 1K campaign officially launched appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
JoriPress
1st Mental Health Awareness Football League:
- Final: Kagwa League 3-2 Blossoms of Hope Foundation
The first ever Mental Health Awareness football gala, organized by the Gracy Minds Empowerment Initiative Uganda was a total success.
Despite a last minute change of venue from the MTN Omondi stadium, Lugogo to the nearby Legends Rugby grounds Naguru; organizations and agencies still showed up.
By close of business, Kagwa League came top of all the teams to win the coveted trophy that also came forth with Ug.Shs 1,000,000.
The victors overcame Blossoms of Hope Foundation 3-2 in a tense thrilling finale watched by an ecstatic crowd under the theme “Speak up Today”.
This tranquil 8-aside gala witnessed a total number of 528 people actively involved.
The gala was precipitated with support from the Football Nation Corporate League led by the Director, Martin Ayebare.
“The first mental health awareness football gala was a significant step towards breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues in the country.” Mercy Gracy Omona, director of Gracy Minds Empowerment Initiative Uganda boldly attests.
The event was graced by numerous mental health and medical agencies, including the Ministry of Health, TPO Uganda, JCRC Uganda, The Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Mental Health, Mental Health Focus Uganda, Focus on Recovery Uganda, Uganda Counseling Association, Red Cross Uganda, Munnange Counseling Center, Mildmay Hospital, Hope and Beyond, National Association of Social Workers Uganda, National Mental Health and Psychological Working Group, Benevolent Healing Center, Care First Recovery Homes, FHNS, and Prudential Insurance Company. Each organization was given a platform to present their services and initiatives, providing vital information and resources to the participants.
The teams included Parliament of Uganda, UPTOWN UOX, Kitunga Cranes League, Here for You Foundation, FC Gaucho, TPO Uganda, Bishopian League, Proline Elders FC, Kampala Hospital, Gazaland UOX, The Jovoc League, BSPN Legends, Nganwa Football League, The MAK Guild League, Friends of Triple A, SAN Giovanni, Blossoms of Hope Foundation, BUBZ League, Butiki Gayembe, Focus on Recovery Uganda, Bake my Day FC, The Comboni League, Monday Night Football, Kagwa League, Katuba Oldies, JCRC, and Uganda National Musicians Federation. The matches fostered a spirit of camaraderie and brought the community together for a common cause.
Other activities:
The beautiful football with fancy passing, awesome tackling, positioning, dribbles and scoring aside, this event featured a variety of activities designed to engage the community and promote mental health awareness.
These included among other blood donation and testing services provided by Red Cross Uganda, medical consultations, and mental health awareness sessions.
“These activities were crucial in offering participants immediate access to health services while also educating them on the importance of mental health” Omona adds.
To spice up the day, there was exciting music performances by popular Ugandan artists Jackie Chandiru, Coco Finger, Victor Ruz, and Zulanda, adding vibrancy and excitement to the day’s activities.
Launch of the 1K Campaign for Mental Health:
A significant milestone of the event was the official launch of the 1K Campaign for Mental Health.
This was led by Mrs. Grace Obalim Ojara, the National Coordinator for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support – Uganda.
Obalim executed the chores on the behalf of the Assistant Commissioner for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Control Menta Health, Dr Hafsa Lukwata.
The 1K campaign for mental health is designed to raise funds and support mental health awareness programs among adolescents and youth across Uganda.
This campaign will run for five years, with activities including community dialogues, school outreaches, TV drama episodes, and mental health podcasts.
Annual accountability sessions will be held every August, coinciding with the Mental Health Awareness Football Gala.
The 1K campaign for mental health boxes will be placed in different places like banks, malls, supermarkets, offices, institutions, hotels, airport (if allowed), mental health organizations, events, offices, among others.
The post Kagwa League triumph at Inaugural Mental Health Awareness football league, 1K campaign officially launched appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
