The President of the Republic of Uganda HE Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has encouraged sports stars to remain focused in a bid to hit their targets in life. The President made the comments during the State Dinner when he hosted four National teams. FUFA and Uganda Netball Federation were also invited to the State Dinner at the State House in Entebbe on Thursday night.
The Uganda National teams- U-17 (Cubs), Beach Soccer (Sand Cranes) and Crested Cranes (Women) got the opportunity to meet the President. The Captains of the three football teams (U-17 Garvin Kizito Mugweri, Beach Soccer –Rica Byaruhanga and Crested Cranes-Tracy Jones Akiror) made brief speeches on behalf of their fellow players.
FUFA 1st Vice President Justus Mugisha led the FUFA delegation to State House in the absence of FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo who is away in Ghana on official duties with CAF.
What Mugisha said
‘Your Excellency, Mama and Minister of State for Sports, in the year 2018, we have registered tremendous success at all levels which we attribute to your leadership, guidance and financial support towards FUFA.
We shall always remember this year, as a year that started in style for the football family when Mama and HE hosted the sports family at their Country home in Rwakitura on 2nd January. A year in which the Uganda Cranes was included in the National budget; a year in which Uganda Cranes qualified for the AFCON Finals 2019 to be hosted by Cameroon with still a match to be played. We give credit to you Your Excellency and Mama.
Also FUFA has been able to engage several teams in various continental football tournaments where Uganda continued to excel at the top with both boys and girls from within the local clubs and schools registering successes’
President Museveni highlighted 6 key values of sports;
- Fitness/ Stamina-strengthen your body and get fit
- Builds personal character for perseverance and resilience
- Trains sports women and men become good citizens especially during times when team has lost. It helps sports stars control any forms of anger, hatred and jealous towards those who have excelled
- Coordination is a key aspect in life
- Entertainment that is derived from the various competitions organized by the stars to be enjoyed by fans
- Source of wealth as sports stars are paid handsomely