Written By | Our Reporter
MSA boss Salim Twaha receives the donated items from Ahimbisibwe
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Sports Desk
Uganda Cranes star Ivan Ahimbisibwe has extended his appreciation to Mbarara Sports Academy (MSA) for grooming him into the footballer he is today.
Despite his current success, the national team and KCCA striker has remained grounded in his roots and the values he learned during his early days at the Mbarara City-based sports academy, demonstrated by his donation of items and money to the institution.
Ahimbisibwe, who was accompanied by more than 40 other academy graduates, including Emmanuel Mugabo (now in Rwanda), Pamela Agaba, Anwal Kagarukye, Siraji Musindo, and Rogers Atamba, among others, donated UGX 1,000,000, 15 footballs, two sets of uniforms, and training poles as a gesture of appreciation.
“I am very appreciative of the sports academy family, and coach Salim Twaha in particular, for the parental love and proper upbringing. If not for MSA, I would not have reached this level, as my career would have taken a different turn. I was welcomed here and groomed with love, which is why I have come back to say thank you,” Ahimbisibwe said.
Ahimbisibwe with former players and currents kids under the program
The humble, soft-spoken star, who made the visit a few days after returning with the national team from Morocco where they were on duty at the AFCON finals, is widely admired as a discipline icon among footballers in the country.
“I am humbled whenever I am referred to as one of the disciplined players in the sport, and this gives me more courage to keep moving forward. I have not yet reached the apex of my dreams, but I know God will lead me there. From here, I call upon the young ones following in our footsteps to remain disciplined, focus on academic excellence, and above all, keep praying to God,” he added.
Ahimbisibwe with the fomer MSA players
He later led the team to the MSA training camp in Kakyeka, where they met children under the programme and delivered an encouraging message displayed in writing: “One thing—keep believing, don’t give up.” He also donated a KCCA jersey bearing his name and squad number to MSA proprietor Salim Twaha. 
Ahimbisibwe displays a written message to the kids for inspiration
MSA proprietor Salim Twaha expressed gratitude for the former player’s surprise visit, describing it as a sign of special appreciation and remembrance of their humble beginnings.
“We appreciate our boys and girls who passed through our hands and, after reaching a certain level, come back to say thank you. This encourages us to continue with the project because it shows that our work is valued,” Twaha said.
Action between the old and young MSA players
The visit concluded with a football match between the former academy players, captained by Ahimbisibwe, and the current junior players. The seniors won 3–1, courtesy of an Emmanuel hat-trick.
Established in 2010, MSA has nurtured numerous football talents, both boys and girls, who now play in Uganda Premier League clubs and other league levels, as well as professionally abroad in Europe, Asia, and America. Many younger players are also enrolled in various schools on sports scholarships.
