Ugandan Students Take Part in World Cup Youth Delegation

Kampala -- On Thursday, June 8, U.S. Ambassador to Uganda Steven A. Browning met with two young Ugandan football enthusiasts who have been selected to participate in the “World Cup Youth Delegation,” a sports exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

Ambassador Browning congratulated Memory Nampijja of Masaka and Henry Tumwesigye of Kampala on both their football abilities and their academic goals.  He noted, “The delegation will have the opportunity to meet American youth and to learn about the United States—and it will also give American young people the chance to interact with young football ambassadors from around the world like Memory and Henry.  We hope they have the experience of a lifetime.”

Memory, 13, and Henry, 14, will join secondary school students from twelve other nations for a two-week trip to the United States and Germany from June 10-June 24.   The World Cup Youth Delegation program will provide the students with opportunities to meet with young people from the U.S. and other nations who share a passion for the global sport of football.  In addition to tourism activities, the students will participate in team building and leadership exercises – and of course, play football with their new friends.  In Germany, the Youth Delegation will have the chance to take in some of the excitement of the World Cup.

The U.S. Embassy consulted with Ugandan coaches, referees and teachers in the Youth Delegation selection process.  Memory and Henry were chosen based on their dedication to football, their leadership skills, and their efforts in the classroom.  The World Cup Youth Delegation program seeks to demonstrate that success in athletics, with an emphasis on teamwork, respect and leadership, can be translated into development of academic achievement and important life skills.

In addition to the two Ugandan students, the World Cup Delegation includes students from Bahrain, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Uzbekistan, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bolivia, China, Nigeria and Morocco. 

For further information, please contact StevensonPW@state.gov.