With FUFA’s Vision to become the number one football nation in Africa on and off the field, local soccer governing body has worked in partnership with UEFA to promote pitch management and maintenance in the country under the UEFA Assist project from 14th – 23rd February 2020.
It is the first time this project has been initiated in Uganda.
UEFA expert Philip Fifield is in charge of the project that will run for ten days.
He arrived in the country on Friday before he headed to Arua for grass testing of Green Light and Arua Hills Stadiums.
According to the program, Fifield will visit 17 Stadiums across the Country to make grass testing for both Natural and artificial grounds.
In the Eastern region, Fifield will visit Kyabazinga stadium in Bugembe, The Mighty Arena at Jinja SS, Kakindu Stadium, FUFA Technical Centre Njeru and the site of the proposed FUFA Stadium (Lugazi) on Sunday 16th February 2020.
Around Kampala, the expert will inspect the site of FUFA Kadiba training Complex, Futsal Courts Kisenyi, StarTimes Stadium Lugogo, Prisons Stadium Luzira, St. Mary’s Stadium Kitende, Kyabaggu Stadium Wakiso and the Mandela National Stadium Namboole.
In the same vein, Masaka recreation Ground and Kakyeka Stadium of Mbarara will also be visited by the expert.
Wrapping up his program, the expert will conduct a 3-day course on pitch management and maintenance in theory and practical at Namboole stadium.
‘We are glad to receive an expert on pitch management and maintenance from UEFA under the UEFA Assist project. We had a big challenge in ground maintenance for our stadiums. Above all the workshop for grounds men will advance the grade of grass maintenance at the playing pitches. This program will run for ten days inclusive of stadium inspection and workshop.’ said FUFA Club Licensing Manager Ivan Kintu.
It has been a major challenge for most of the clubs to have experts that can technically maintain and manage grass at the pitch however the project is expected to have a strong impact on the improvement of playing surface and ground maintenance.
The relationship between UEFA and FUFA has seen quite a number of projects from the UEFA Assist being successful and taking the game of football in Uganda to another level.
The most recent project from UEFA Assist is the UEFA – FUFA Grassroot Football Coaching Course that successfully ended on Thursday 13th February 2020 in Njeru.
MAIN PHOTO: UEFA Expert Phillip Fifield testing Green Light Stadium grass.
