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Ambassador of France to Uganda hails FUFA, Cranes

The Embassy of France in Uganda took a decision to celebrate the long-term friendship that unites both countries by a special week with a series of activities and particular moments.

The celebrations dubbed the Uganda-France friendship week to mark the Francophone Day started on 18th March and will end on 25th March with a football match.

The event that will climax the celebrations will be the game between Uganda Cranes and the France Military team on Saturday at Mandela National stadium.

Her Excellency, Stephanie Rivoal, the Ambassador of France to Uganda believes football is one of the ways that can be used to bolster the bilateral relations between the two countries.

H.E Stephanie Rivoal Ambassador of France to Uganda addressing the media at FUFA House on Wednesday

‘It is my first time to visist FUFA houseand I am impressed with what i have seen. Mr. President thank you for the good work and image I am seeing here. Uganda is coming to the face of world football after the participation at AFCON in Gabon and we thought the friendly game will be able to bolster the relations between Uganda and France’ she said in a press briefing held at FUFA house on Wednesday morning.

‘The game between Uganda Cranes and the France Military team could be the foundation of very many things that may come in future and therefore I call upon the public to embrace this chance’ she added.

‘The France military team is very good and expect a tough game. We know Uganda Cranes is equally a good side fresh from Gabon but the visitors will put up a good show on Saturday’ added the Ambassador.

The Leader of Delegation-France Military team Lt. Col. Eric Ponsot sent out a diplomatic warning to Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic and his players.

‘We are not here to relax. We are playing for a charity but expect a competitive match on saturday. I hope the game ends 2-1 and not by a big score’ said Ponsot.

Leader of Delegation-France Military team Lt. Col. Eric Ponsot at the FUFA weekly press conference on Wednesday morning

FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo thanked the Ambassador for the great initiative and indicated this is a great opportunity for Ugandan football.

‘It is an honour for us to have such a great delegation of this magnitude partnering with FUFA. We are aware of the fact that France has been a platform for many African footballers to showcase their talent including our very own, the late Majid Musisi who played at Rennes in the 1990s; stated FUFA President.

‘So as FUFA, we are not taking this partnership lightly because we believe it can be important in the years to come’ added added Magogo.

Fans will pay UGX 5,000 and 20,000 as entrance fee and all the proceeds will be used to buy sports equipment for 5 schools that include Kibuli SS, Lubiri SS, Kisasi Primary school.

FUFA CEO, Edgar Watson indicated that the French Embassy’s programme of giving back to the community coincides with the Federation’s strategy to engage the public through football.

FUFA CEO Edgar Watson highlight’s the federation’s importance of being part of the Uganda-France Friendship week that will climax with Uganda Cranes playing the France Military team in a chairty match at Nambole on Saturday

‘As FUFA, we have 6 Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) programmes this year and we have already had one in Luzira Upper Prisons where former Uganda Cranes players visisted the inmates. So we believe this is a good campaign that we decided to support’ said Edgar Watson.

The Ambassador enjoying the moment in the studios of 102.1 FUFA fm.

The Ambassador was also taken on a guided tour of 102.1 FUFA fm before taking group photos with the secretariat staff.

The Ambasador Stephanie Rivoal and FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo with 102.1 FUFA fm staff
FUFA Secretariat for photo moment with the Ambassador (3rd L) together with FUFA President (4th L) and FUFA CEO (extreme R). L-R Sumayah Kiwanuka, Sarah Birungi, Sharon Nalunga, Esther Musoke and Harriet Nakimbugwe

The game is sanctioned by CAF and FIFA and will be handled by FIFA referees Ali Sabila(centre referee), Hussein Bugembe (1st Assistant referee), Ronald Katenya(2nd Assistant referee), Brian Miiro Nsubuga(4th official), Abbas Ssendyowa(match commissioner).

MAIN PHOTO: L-R France Military Team Manager Christophe Horta, FUFA CEO Watson, FUFA President, France Ambassador to UG Stephanie Rivoal, France Militray Leader of delegation Lt. Col. Eric Ponsot

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