Nakatunya emerged victorious in the inaugural Joan Alobo Ladies Football Tournament after edging past Kinchinjaji with a 1–0 win in a closely contested final at Soroti Sports Ground.
The team walked away with a trophy and a cash prize of one million shillings.
The week-long competition, organised by Soroti City Woman MP Joan Alobo Achom, attracted women’s football teams from across Soroti.
Alobo, a former gold medalist at the East African Parliamentary Games, said the tournament aimed to unearth and nurture sports talent among young women.
“This is the first time a women’s football tournament has been organised in Soroti City,” Alobo said at the final.
“As a sportswoman myself, I saw the need to uplift the talents of young girls who often go unnoticed. We’ve also had athletics as part of this event, and I brought in scouts to identify individuals who might earn scholarships or join professional leagues.”
She stressed that the tournament was not a one-off event but the beginning of a long-term drive to boost female participation in sports across the region.
“This is going to be a continuous tournament. I want to see these girls playing at national and international levels,” she said.
The event drew widespread support from local leaders and dignitaries, including Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Patrick Amuriat Oboi, who served as chief guest.
Amuriat applauded the initiative as a vital platform for community development and gender inclusion.
“This tournament is a milestone for Soroti,” he said.
“Women are now taking up spaces traditionally dominated by men, and I commend Honourable Alobo for this transformative effort. Platforms like these are critical in discovering talent that can represent our region far beyond Soroti.”
The tournament was not only a showcase of athletic skill but also a celebration of community spirit and the growing recognition of women in sport.
Organisers say plans are already in motion for an expanded second edition, aiming to attract wider participation and national attention.