The Hoima Elite Corporates Club, a team largely comprised of professionals in their thirties and beyond, has emerged as champions of the 3rd edition of the Mwenge Corporate Tournament, held at the scenic Katosa Holly Ground in Kyenjojo.
Their victory is not just a sporting triumph, but a testament to the power of age defying fitness and unwavering camaraderie.
The Hoima Elite Corporates Club, formed by professionals who skillfully juggle demanding careers, family responsibilities, and community roles, has rewritten the playbook on what it means to compete and win.
For years, these dedicated individuals have gathered at Duhaga Samagi Grounds as evening falls, trading their office attire for football boots, driven not by professional football ambitions, but by a shared commitment to fitness, friendship, and the sheer love of the beautiful game.
Their journey to the Kyenjojo championship culminated in a thrilling final clash against a youthful and high-paced St. Peter’s Health Clinic team.
What appeared on paper to be a mismatch – the “grey beards” versus the “gym-fit twenty-somethings” – transformed into a footballing masterclass in patience, tactical finesse, and mental resilience. The match, a tightly contested affair, ultimately came down to a dramatic penalty shootout.
With the score tied, it was the seasoned veterans of Hoima Elite who held their nerve, edging out their younger opponents 2-1. A pivotal role was played by veteran goalkeeper Innocent Bless, whose “cat-like reflexes and poise defied his age,” drawing enthusiastic cheers from the Kyenjojo crowd with his heroic saves.
“We didn’t need to outrun them,” remarked Kabagambe Conelius, head of the technical team, after the victory. “We just needed to outthink them and play for each other.”
Beyond the exhilaration of the win, the Hoima Elite Corporates Club is driven by a deeper purpose: health, friendship, and collective well-being. Every evening at Duhaga’s Samagi Grounds, the pitch transforms into their sanctuary, an escape from the demands of the boardroom where they find therapy in the game.
“Football is our escape, our therapy,” shared Curthbert Kigozi, chairman of the club. “It helps us beat stress, connect deeply as brothers, and stay young in body and spirit.” Over the years, this training ground has evolved into a vital social hub, a place where milestones are celebrated, personal battles are supported, and enduring friendships are forged.
The team’s journey to the championship saw them top a highly competitive Group A, with crucial goals from Atugonza Joshua, Muriisa David, Byron Mwesiga, and Kabagambe Conelius propelling them to the finals.
Their triumph in Kyenjojo is more than just a sporting accolade; it’s a powerful cultural statement, defying stereotypes of age and reigniting a community’s belief in healthy, purposeful living.
The ripple effect of their victory is already being felt in Hoima, inspiring younger players to gather at Samagi Grounds, not just to spectate, but to learn.
The club is actively exploring mentorship clinics, wellness initiatives, and broader community engagement programs, all built on the fundamental truth that an active and connected lifestyle can profoundly transform lives.
“We have built something bigger than ourselves,” stated Kaahwa Andrew Mega, one of the team’s founding players. “We are not just passing the ball. We are passing on values, and hope.”
As the sun sets over Duhaga tomorrow evening, the Hoima Elite Corporates Club will once again be on the pitch – boots tied, backs straight, and hearts open.
Their story is a powerful reminder that greatness knows no age limit, that joy never truly retires, and that sometimes, the most profound victories are quietly achieved on a local pitch, among brothers, with laughter in the air and glory at their feet.
