LIRA CITY – In a landmark event for sports in Northern Uganda, St. Mary Magdalene Girls Secondary School today officially unveiled the Lira City Queens Football Club, a 24-squad women’s team set to compete in the prestigious Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Elite League for the 2025/2026 season.
The unveiling ceremony at the school marks the culmination of years of groundwork and a significant investment in girls' football. The squad, composed entirely of talented young women, was presented to the public, signaling a bold new chapter for the sport in the Lango sub-region.
Daniel Otim, the Games and Sports teacher at St. Mary Magdalene, traced the team's journey, stating, “We have been handling girls football from 2022 up to now, and I've been there with the team from day one. Let me take this opportunity to thank the management of the school because it has been through their support that the team is here now and playing well.”
The club’s leadership expressed unwavering commitment to competitiveness.
Tobby Obua, CEO of Lira City Queens Football Club, declared, “We do all that is necessary to offer all the support and all the guidance that is required so that we can be very competitive in this league. We are ready with everything.” He confirmed that the team was prepared to kick off this weekend, but the league's start has been postponed from the originally scheduled dates of October 18th and 19th.
Ambitions for the club extend far beyond the national league. Geoffrey Odur, Club President, outlined a visionary future. “I am very serious about girls' football. This will be the first team in Lango to send players to play abroad in the future because they have the talents,” Odur proclaimed. He called for massive community backing, adding that everyone in Lango to give support to the club as girls' football is very interesting.
The historic initiative received a powerful endorsement from Dan Obote Kagere, the FUFA Executive Committee Member representing Northern Uganda. “We are so proud that for the first time, we have a model club and more women's football club in Lira city,” Kagere said. “When you look at Kampala and other cities, the ‘Queens’ all over the world is attached to football; there's a football club attached to every city. Therefore, I call upon everyone, first and foremost, to support girls' football.”
He emphasized the collective responsibility, stating, “It is every responsible person's initiative... it is not about us, it is not about me, to support girls' football.”
Guiding the team's technical efforts is Head Coach Richard Opio, who brings significant credibility to the role as the Chairperson of Coaches for Northern Uganda, recognized as a highly skilled football coach.
With a solid foundation, clear vision, and high-profile support, the Lira City Queens are not just launching a football team; they are pioneering a movement for women’s sports and regional pride in Northern Uganda.
