Football, Then and Now: Lessons Beyond the Game

For adults, football offers lessons far beyond the pitch. It teaches valuable insights into management, perseverance, and leadership.

 

I have watched the Premier League for quite some time. In fact, I also watched English football long before it became the Premier League, back when a Ugandan sponsor—Namasuba’s famous Olympic Motor Spares—brought it to UTV.

Those were different times, and it is difficult to explain to those who never lived through them just how much of a joy it was to watch television then.

Tuesday evenings were a highlight, with the sports program hosted by the eloquent and charismatic Andrew Patrick Luwandagga—a man who made me love television. The English league and the German Bundesliga had a massive following, even though we only got to watch weekly highlights rather than live matches. Yet, we still followed the games passionately, cheering for our favourite teams.

Back then, our local league was equally vibrant and competitive. Villa vs Express was an unmissable fixture, and KCC vs Express was always a thriller. Teams like Airlines and Bank of Uganda added to the excitement, with Airlines earning a reputation as the ultimate spoilers.

Spear Motors FC, arguably the smartest team, trained at a ground that has since become a rugby pitch opposite Lugogo Mall.

But the real question is: why has the English league grown into a global brand while our local league has faded into near obscurity? There was a time when a Villa-Express game at Nakivubo dominated conversations across the city. The anticipation was immense, fans left work early, and the singing in the stands began long before kickoff. Now, all of that is gone—lost to a variety of reasons that many have already discussed.

I am here for one simple reason: to educate those who may need it on why people watch football—specifically, the English Premier League. Many watch for the thrill of victory, the bragging rights, and the chance to mock their rivals. But that is a surface-level reason, one best left to toddlers whose main concerns are mealtime and nappy changes.

For adults, football offers lessons far beyond the pitch. It teaches valuable insights into management, perseverance, and leadership. Take Arsenal, for instance. Their journey shows that finding a winning formula takes time, countless attempts, and resilience in the face of criticism. Along the way, there will be doubters and dismissive voices, but the key is to put your head down and keep working towards success.

It is fascinating how being second place is often viewed as failure. But in a league of twenty teams, how is finishing second a disgrace? When did we start mocking a child for coming second in class, regardless of how many times they achieved that feat? In the end, they were only beaten by someone better on the day.

As someone who understands the effort it takes to be second, I see no shame in it—only a reason to be proud. If you ever find yourself finishing just behind the best, know that you did well. And believe me, I will always celebrate your second place and remind you of your achievement.