By Rashida Adams
On Friday, October 25, 2024, at Old Kampala Futsal Arena, 14-year-old Katende Owen mesmerized the crowd with his impressive performance in the Futsal Uganda Cup Round of 16.
As the youngest player and goalkeeper in the tournament’s history, Katende, a senior one student at St. Minam High School and Starlight Academy player, made crucial saves for his team, Nansana ASKA.
Overcoming Fears and Gaining Confidence
“I was scared before the game due to the unfamiliar pitch and rules,” Katende admitted. “But my teammates reassured me, saying, ‘It’s the same football playground.’ I gained confidence and enjoyed the game despite our 8-3 loss to Crown Lubiri.”
Inspiring Young Players
Katende’s appearance in the tournament is a milestone, encouraging young players to stay focused and pursue their dreams. His advice: “Stay focused, work hard, and follow your passion.”
Katende is expected to feature for Nansana ASKA in the upcoming 2024/25 Futsal Super League set to kickoff on Friday 8th November.
Indeed the crowd underestimate him before the match, however his confidence and saves made the saying “never judge the book by its cover” a reality. Thanks Owen for saving the day 🙏