Govt gives Cranes Shs1b boost

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Thu 05 Oct, 2017

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A few hours to the group E clash with Ghana, government has released one billion shillings to the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) to cater for the national team’s preparations for World Cup qualifiers.

According to FUFA spokesperson Hussein Ahmed, the support to Cranes followed a meeting chaired by the Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, attended by the state minister for Sports Charles Bakabulindi, Permanent Secretary Alex Kakooza and officials from National Council of Sports in which FUFA presented their budget.

“The First Lady emphasised the importance of Sport and willingness by government to finance excelling national teams and Athletes. She further appreciated the success registered by FUFA,” Hussein Ahmed said.

The FUFA spokesperson said that the education minister called for long term planning from sports federations, National Council of Sports and the Education and Sports Ministry so as to avoid adhoc interventions.

“She pledged to avail time to meet with sports federations and share experiences for the development of sports in the country,” he added.

The FUFA delegation to the meeting led by President Eng. Moses Magogo, had 1st Vice President Justus Mugisha, CEO Edgar Watson and Finance Director Decolas Kiiza.

The FUFA president Eng. Moses Magogo applauded government for the timely intervention to the national team which he said was a big boost to them.

“I am very excited that the Government has answered our call for the support to the Cranes team,”Magogo said.

He applauded particularly president Museveni, the Education and Sports minister Janet Museveni, Charles Bakkabulindi and National Council of Sports for their efforts towards the national team.

The money according to Magogo will among others be used to clear bonuses and allowances for both players and coaches for the national team.

“This is the kind of motivation that will influence the sporting results,”Magogo added.

FUFA has in the past complained of lack of funds especially for the national team to engage in various competitions.

“We needs $500,000 to organize the two remaining matches against Ghana and Congo Brazzaville in the World Cup qualifiers,”Magogo told journalists last week during the weekly FUFA press conference.