Bavubuka All*Sports is founded on the belief that group sports promote cooperation, improve health, develop self-confidence and provide much-needed leisure time for disadvantaged youth. In poverty-stricken ghettos and war-torn regions, children have little access to what UNESCO calls the right to recreation.
History
During the first two years Bavubuka All*Sports project fundraised over 1200 pounds of gear for sports including basketball, soccer (European football), boxing, and badminton. These donations were shipped to Uganda and distributed as training equipment to teams and players throughout the country who were identified by their strong work ethics. It is incredibly difficult for most Ugandans to support their children in recreational activities due to the difficult economic situation. Bavubuka All*Sports maintains strong relationships with the people who struggle to facilitate entire teams of young athletes.
Teams
Gulu Hawks
Gulu is infamously associated with the atrocities that have taken place during the civil war that has been going on for more than 22 years. Despite this disturbing conflict Gulu has produced some miraculous stories of determination and endurance. Dennis Akena is a coach and player for the senior boys basketball team in Gulu. He is 20 years old and along with being a University student is currently doing his best to support his own team, a junior boys team, a girls team and a wheelchair team. The Gulu Hawks have endured civil strife, prejudice and exploitation to become a team of highly committed and, as a result, flourishing individuals. They may have only one court to practice on within traveling distance, but making the best of the situation seems to be ingrained.
Home of Champions Boxing Gym
Home of Champions Boxing Gym is also located in the remote region of Gulu. Boxing is taught as a discipline to help traumatized kids (both male and female) learn how to channel out some of their energy in a safe environment. Uganda is known for producing great boxing talent with the latest success story being Kassim Ouma (with a record of 25-2-2). Bavabuka all*Sports recognizes the positive effects that boxing has produced for the kids involved; the discipline of the gym provides some relief from the hardship and chaos that most of the kids connected to the gym have known for all their lives. For many of the kids boxing seems to be a form of therapy.
Makindye Soccer Academy
Located in Makindye, Kampala, the Makindye Soccer Academy opened on April 20th 2000. The program pays the majority of travel expenses to local tournaments and also houses many of the kids at a nearby school/training facility. The coach, Serumaga (who has been coaching soccer teams independently for more then 15 years), is one of the teachers at the school. The academy provides for six teams which includes boys ages 10 to 18. The success of the teams has been well documented; the U12 boys’ team has gone undefeated in their 07-08 seasons. Many of the other teams have also been victorious in various tournaments throughout East Africa including the MYSA cup in Nairobi, Kenya.
Jericho Street Blazers
Jericho Street Blazers are a young team of talented streetballers who dedicate their spare time to making their opponents look foolish on the basketball floor. From creating their own mix-tape (the first of its kind in Uganda) to being interviewed about the growing excitement surrounding streetball in Uganda, the Jericho Street team is a great example of the skills that help young people in East Africa make a name for themselves. Most of the players on the team have full-time jobs and/or go to school, which illustrates their astonishing commitment to a sport that many Ugandans ridiculed only a few years ago. They have aspirations of travelling and displaying their skills against the toughest of competition, all in the name streetball.