The FIFA Development officer for Eastern and Southern Africa Ashford Mamelodi believes that the artificial turf to be laid at the KCCA stadium in Lugogo will improve the infrastructure in Uganda football. Mamelodi who is in the country to meet various stake holders attached to the project says he is excited that the local soccer governing body FUFA and KCC FC have agreed to bring the first football artificial turf in Kampala.
Mamelodi’s comments were made while meeting the media at Lugogo where the turf will be laid. The press conference was also attended by the FUFA President Engineer Moses Magogo, CEO Edgar Watson and a strong hierarchy from KCC FC led by their Vice Chairman Allan Sewanyana and Secretary David Tamale.
‘We are excited about this project because we feel the players will enjoy playing on this turf and football standards will improve as well’ said Mamelodi.
Mamelodi stressed that it was another chance for Uganda o get another artificial turf after the first one was laid at Njeru technical Centre in Jinja.
‘Our preference would have been for such projects to be laid on the federation’s property but other stakeholders can accept them too’ added Mamelodi.
Mamelodi revealed that the FIFA development Committee will meet in March for the approval of the project which has already seen initial stages go on without any hindrances.
The FUFA President Magogo was equally excited about the latest development.
‘We are moving in an era where Kampala will be hosting international matches on the artificial turf’ said Magogo.
Magogo added that good infrastructure is needed for football development in the country.
Lugogo has already hosted international matches involving the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in 2012 while last year the fans witnessed the Uganda women U-20 side thrash Sudan 13-0 at the same venue.
‘We want to have this facility at levels accepted internationally. But I need to thank the KCC Authority for accepting the project at Lugogo. We believe this project will propel KCC FC forward’ added Magogo.
Magogo also quelled any fears that might arise from unplanned programmes for both FUFA and KCCFC over the use of the stadium.
‘We shall make sure that we release our programmes early to KCC FC in case we plan to use the stadium’ said Magogo.
KCC FC board member Peter Kibazo who also attended the function took time to remind the media that good things happen to well organized clubs that is why the artificial turf project was brought to the reigning League champions’ home ground.
‘We are a top club in the country but we believe that this project will inspire us to perform better on the pitch’ said Kibazo.
KCC FC will become the first club in Uganda to own an artificial turf stadium.
