2023 CECAFA: TWO ACADEMY PLAYERS SUMMONED TO UGANDA U-15 PROVISIONAL SQUAD

Switzerland national Leeshy Della Torre plans for the biggest academy with modern facilities in Uganda

Della Torre Football Academy in Luweero is destined for a great future revolving from a mere village face to an international figure.

Named after a Swiss citizen Leeshy Courtney Della Torre, the Academy found it’s establishment four years ago, dating in 2019.

At end of last week, Leeshy Courtney Della Torre came to Uganda and found his way to the operational offices of the project he has given a hand for years.

While in Kasaala – Luweero, he (Leeshy Courtney Della Torre) together with the academy founder Hajji Siraje Kabuye discussed the future of the project and said;

“I look forward to building the biggest modern sports academy with modern facilities.

The target is boys and girls between the age of seven and 18 years."

Our focus is not only football but also other games like Basketball, Volleyball, Athletics and Tennis.

Leeshy Courtney Della Torre further revealed that his first plan is infrastructure and staff development at the academy.

“Firstly, a modern infrastructure is to be commissioned having Games and training pitches, Video rooms for analyzing games, hostels and a school to help us keep the project children together.

We focus at tapping into technical, conditioning coaching skills from some of the partners in Europe for capacity building. Leeshy Courtney Della Torre added.

During an exclusive interview with this website, Della Tore revealed that his first time to Uganda was 1997 and from his previous other visits to the Pearl of Africa he asserts that;

Sports is a center of peace of Ugandan life and the sub-sector has the ability to influence a great future to the young population.

Sports is beyond playing but a complete industry. Sports has the ability to diversity Uganda’s economy.

A fully developed industry can be a serious full time employment sector for coaches, athletes, medics, kits manufacturers, media personals among others. He concluded.

Leeshy Courtney Della Torre also vowed to turn Della Tore Football Academy into Uganda’s breeding ground for great athletes in Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Athletics and Tennis.

Background

Deriving its named from a Swiss citizen Leeshy Courtney Della Torre, the Academy was established in 2018 by Hajji Siraje Kabuye and Hassan Ssekito, born and residents of Luweero.

On a tenancy basis, the academy has its home at Kasaala Catholic playground.

Currently, the Della Tore Football Academy accommodates only three age categories of 11, 13 and 15 years.

Over the years of its existence, the Academy has registered tangible successes both in Luweero sub-region and National level.

Della Torre are two-time champions of the annual Luweero Youth Cup tournament. They won a back to back in 2021 and 2022.

They are currently the Luweero sub-region Uganda Youth Football Association (UYFA) U13 Chenga National qualifiers champions.

Their sub-region triumph confirmed a slot at the forthcoming U13 Chenga National championship set for 15th to 20th January 2024 at Mbarara High School in Mbarara City.

Della Torre Football Academy are also the 2023 UYFA U-15 National qualifiers champions for Luweero sub-region.

They were the 2023 U-15 National championship first runners up after a slim 1-0 defeat to eventual winners Kampala Galaxy.

Sadik Ssekalaala scored the only goal in the final held at Kosovo Grounds in Kasana-Luweero on 4th September 2023.

The Academy’s successful journey at the National championship yielded fruits as five out of the elven best players were from Della Tore.

These include Abdul Shakur Kasibante, Abdul Shakur Babi (MVP), Bashir Edema, Adonia Kivumbi and Nicholas Kakaire who was the tournament’s best goalkeeper.

Della Torre Football Academy forward Babi Abdulshakur put the icing on the cake for his country when the they defeated South Sudan 3-0 in the ongoing CECAFA U-15 Championship at the FUFA technical center in Njeru.

Babi scored the third goal and his first in national team colours in the team's second group game.

The 14 year old, came on as a substitute early in the second half and added on Frank Ssekanjako and Enock Bagenda's goals.

The Buddo SS student, expressed his joy representing his country and as well his desire to score more speaking to this site.

" I must say as a young player, am very happy being part of this team and most importantly scoring for my country, since when I started playing football, i have always grown up admiring national team stars like Goeffrey Massa, Joseph Ochaya and others and I have grown up with that zeal and desire to one day play for the national team, so the journey has just started but it's a dream come true for me." He stated.

The win ensured the Uganda Rhinos bagged their second consecutive win in this year's CECAFA U-15 Championship hosted by Uganda.

The reigning U-15 nationals MVP,  came on at half time in the first match against Djibouti and came on the 75th minute against South Sudan replacing the same player Frank Sekanjako.

The soft spoken young star, shared with us the targets they have as a team and he has in this tournament.

" The most important thing is personally working more harder to help the team win this title, but as well, I have a target of winning some of the individual awards because I often make sure i work so hard for such accollades in tournaments."

Speaking to the academy website, he was also greatful to all the people that have stood by him from the start of his career to now.

" I would particularly want to thank my academy (Della Torre) directors, managers, coaches and everyone there and my school for giving me the opportunity to study." He added.

The teenager also shared his football dream in a lengthy conversation.  

" I want to one day play professional in the best leagues in the world especially in the English premier league and atleast to be one of the best players in the country and as well be a role model of many kids here like the Onyangos." He stated.

Babi who stays in Kampala surbs of Kireka, originates from a family with no football background, but he was inspired by his mum Irene Asiimwe who is a former netball player and his childhood coach Kayemba to play the game.

Babi in his conclusive remarks, pointed at former Real madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and Machester United forward Marcus Rashford as his idols in the game.

Just like many football players, it's not different for our academy young star Nicholas Kakaire who also dares to represent his country at the different levels. 

The 13 year old shot stopper, who joined Della family early this year, is very optimistic he can represent his country at the different junior levels and the senior team in the future. 

"My long time dream is playing for the Cranes one day God willing but as well, wish to represent the country soon at junior sides but this is achievable through hard work." He stated. 

Kakaire a primary Seven (P7) candidate at Kampala grammar Mutundwe, won the UYFA national U-15 golden glove, missed out on his maiden national team(U15) call in the provisional 45 man squad with school commitment. 

Champex as most of his close pals love calling him, speaking to the media, is insipired by his elder brother and Uganda Hippos star Tom Kakaire to play the game. 

" To start going to the pitch I always admired seeing Tom play and whenever I see him on the pitch at club level and national team, it gives me morale to also go there chase my dream." The teenager stated. 

The teenager also pointed at Uganda Cranes former Captain and Mamelodi Sundowns goal keeper Dennis Onyango and Aston Villa and world Cup winner Emiliano Martinez as his role models in the goal posts. 

" I learn alot from Onyango and Martinez, and in the future I see may self as the next Onyango when am the best in the country and as well playing professional Football. Shortly after joining, Kakaire was an influential figure in Della's qualifing campaign and as well, guided the team to the final of the U-15 UYFA nationals. 

Kakaire at a glance! 

Full Names: Kakaire Nicholas Age: 13 

Place of birth: Namulesa, Jinja Nickname: Champex 

Father's name: Kakaire Thomas 

Mother's name: Bilyeri Margret 

Role Models: Dennis Onyango & Emiliano Martinez 

Source of inspiration: Tom Kakaire (Elder brother)

Just like many football players, it's not different for our academy young star Nicholas Kakaire who also dares to represent his country at the different levels. 

The 13 year old shot stopper, who joined Della family early this year, is very optimistic he can represent his country at the different junior levels and the senior team in the future. 

"My long time dream is playing for the Cranes one day God willing but as well, wish to represent the country soon at junior sides but this is achievable through hard work." He stated. 

Kakaire a primary Seven (P7) candidate at Kampala grammar Mutundwe, won the UYFA national U-15 golden glove, missed out on his maiden national team(U15) call in the provisional 45 man squad with school commitment. 

Champex as most of his close pals love calling him, speaking to the media, is insipired by his elder brother and Uganda Hippos star Tom Kakaire to play the game. 

" To start going to the pitch I always admired seeing Tom play and whenever I see him on the pitch at club level and national team, it gives me morale to also go there chase my dream." The teenager stated. 

The teenager also pointed at Uganda Cranes former Captain and Mamelodi Sundowns goal keeper Dennis Onyango and Aston Villa and world Cup winner Emiliano Martinez as his role models in the goal posts. 

" I learn alot from Onyango and Martinez, and in the future I see may self as the next Onyango when am the best in the country and as well playing professional Football. Shortly after joining, Kakaire was an influential figure in Della's qualifing campaign and as well, guided the team to the final of the U-15 UYFA nationals. 

Kakaire at a glance! 

Full names: Kakaire Nicholas Age: 13 Place of birth: Namulesa, Jinja Nickname: Champex Father's name: Kakaire Thomas Mother's name: Bilyeri Margret Role Models: Dennis Onyango & Emiliano Martinez Source of inspiration: Tom Kakaire (Elder brother)