Let the Goals Begin, MP Ogwal Tells Footballers in Dokolo North

What the report says

Dokolo North County MP Joseph Jones Ogwal has said he wants to help raise the standard of football in his constituency, arguing that grassroots tournaments can give young players a place to develop their skills and widen their networks. He made the remarks on Saturday, August 29, while opening the 2026 Bata Town Council football tournament in Dokolo District, which he is sponsoring.

According to Dokolo Post, the competition involves teams from five wards — Aderolongo South, Aningo Central, Eastern, Northern and Western — and is intended to strengthen community participation through sport. Ogwal said he hopes this year’s tournament will improve on earlier editions in organisation, turnout and quality of play, and urged players to compete with discipline and commitment.

He also praised residents and local leaders for taking part in National Cleaning Day activities, saying community development depends on shared responsibility beyond politics and sport. Bata Town Council LCIII chairperson Shaban Ocen thanked the MP for backing the event, saying it could benefit young people through friendship, networking, mental wellbeing and physical fitness.

The opening ceremony included curtain-raiser matches between teams from Adok and Bata sub-counties, with Bata winning the girls’ game 2-0 and Adok taking the boys’ match 2-1. The report suggests the tournament is also a platform for local talent to gain visibility and for neighbouring communities to build closer ties.