18 Churches have already confirmed their participation in a tournament aimed at spreading the gospel through basketball and uniting Christians “irrespective of which church or fellowship we belong to.”
Labelled ‘Above The Realm’, the tournament is slated for 31st January, 2020 – 1st February, 2020 (10AM-10PM) at MTN Arena – Lugogo, in Kampala.
Churches expected to participate in the tournament include; Watoto Church, Miracle Centre Rubaga, Mavuno Church, Worship Harvest, Worship House – Nansana, VCC, Bugolobi Church of the Resurrection, Calvary Chapel, All Saints Cathedral, Bugolobi Church of the Ressurection, St Stephen’s Church Kisugu, St Andrews Church (Bukoto), Divine Ministries, Miracle centre Kawempe, Life Church Namasuba, Miracle Centre Kireka, Bethel Ministries, Our Savior and Exodus Ministries.
The tournament will include live performances from various gospel artists and deejays. Entry fee is Ush10,000.
Mr Shadrack Kuteesa, team leader at Vine Entertainment Group, one of the tournament sponsors spoke to Uganda Christian News on Tuesday about what the sports initiative entails.
Full Interview:
What is the tournament all about, and who are the organizers?
Mr Kuteesa: Above The Realm is an Inter-church basketball tournament with the objective of uniting Christian youth through through basketball and also to provide clean entertainment for the Christian youth. Above the realm is organized by Vine Entertainment Group.
What does the tournament seek to achieve?
Mr Kuteesa: That we are one body in Christ irrespective of which church or fellowship we belong it.
What are participating churches and players saying about the tournament?
Mr Kuteesa: That its good platform for uniting the youth and also promotion the game of basketball within churches. Also it’s a good clean proggie for the youth.
Financially, how have you been able to sustain the tournament?
Mr Kuteesa: We receive some part support from Sprite, but also majorly from the directors’ personal finances.
Will the finalists be rewarded?
Mr Kuteesa: The winners and 1st runners up both for male and female teams get trophies, and some goodies from Sprite.
Lastly, is Church doing enough to harness the potential of talented members, most especially in areas of sports?
Mr Kuteesa: I think church has started paying more attention to naturing the talent especially in sports, a couple of Christian teams play in the basketball league and we have had more churches participate in the 2nd edition of Above the realm compared to the first one.
What can be done is church to allocate [funds] towards talent development. I know of church in Nigeria that runs a record label with some the biggest Christian/gospel artists on the continent.
