The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has revealed the that FUFA Juniors League (FJL) will kick off in a few weeks time, with some new changes.
The improvements have been aimed at ensuring that the competition fulfills the core objective of nurturing talent, like the case has been since induction in 2015.
The Federation understands, and it’s also evident how the FJL is the bedrock for future football stars and over the years, this has acted as a conveyer belt for the National teams (Junior and the Senior National Team).
FUFA therefore requires that all teams playing in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League will be mandated to have a team in the FJL.
The FJL 2023/24 season (involving StarTimes Uganda Premier League Clubs) is expected to kickoff on 4th February 2024.
The whole proceedings will however start earlier than that, with age verification (screening) on 15th -19th January 2024. The fixture will be released a day after, on 20th January.
The Competition Rules and Regulations will be released on the 20th of January, while Player Registration on FUFA Connect system will be from 20th -31st January.
The 16 teams will be divided into two groups like it was the case in a few years ago. The Groups are named as Treble and Hat trick.
Group Treble has; KCCA FC SA, Maroons FC JT, NEC FC JT, Express FC JT, URA FC JT, UPDF FC JT, Kitara FC JT and Arua Hill SC JT.
Group Hat Trick has; SC Villa JT, Soltilo Bright Stars FC JT, Vipers SC JT, Wakiso Giants FC JT, BUL FC JT, Gaddafi FC JT, Busoga United FC JT and Mbarara City FC JT.
KEY GUIDELINES:
The FUFA Juniors League is only a preserve of players under the age of 17. Therefore, only players born after 1st, January 2007 will be considered.
The competition shall be played on a league basis over three rounds on a home and away basis with the third round host determined by the aggregate results from the two rounds.
Each club shall be allowed to register a maximum of 25 players. Ten of those should be born latest by 1st January 2007 while the other 15 slots will be given to players born in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Every player must have a minor consent form signed by a parent/ guardian and a National ID of the parent/ guardian attached, Authentic Birth Certificate and a fully filled player passport form.
However, despite the changes mentioned, other Junior Teams will continue to play in their respective FUFA Regions after fully complying with the Academy registration process just like it was last season.
