Liverpool FC legend Steve McManaman is set to arrive in Kampala on Saturday to preside over the 6th Edition of the 2023 Standard Chartered Cup tournament. Margaret Kigozi, the Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand, and Marketing at Standard Chartered Bank, announced that McManaman will arrive on Saturday morning and head to MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo, where the tournament will take place.
Kigozi made this announcement during a brief media event where representatives from various corporate companies gathered to conduct the draws for the upcoming tournament. The tournament is expected to feature at least 40 corporate teams, including MultiChoice Uganda, UAP Old Mutual, CFAO Motors, Roofings Group, Nakasero Hospital, and others.
This marks the sixth edition of the tournament, with the last one being held in 2019 before subsequent editions were postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The participating teams will include the bank’s corporate, commercial, or business banking entities, as well as Liverpool FC fans and media partners.
Speaking to URN on the sidelines, John Baptist Tumwesigye, the Chief Technology and Operations Officer at Standard Chartered, explained that the purpose of the tournament is to provide an opportunity for uniting Liverpool fans.
He added that the overall winner of the tournament will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to watch a match at Anfield and undergo training by a Liverpool Football Club Legend at the LFC Academy. However, Tumwesigye clarified that this privilege would be extended exclusively to the seven players on the pitch and one official from the winning team.
Regarding the draws, a total of 30 teams were assigned to six groups, with the remaining 10 teams set to be grouped closer to the tournament’s start date. In addition to McManaman, Uganda has hosted several famous football legends from around the world, including former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, former Newcastle player Alan Shearer, and former Chelsea Coach Roberto Di Matteo, among others.
Fahad Muganga