The FUFA President Engineer Moses Magogo faced the sports media for the first time since returning from South Africa where Uganda Cranes took part in the African Nations Championship (CHAN). While addressing the media at Ivys Hotel in Wakaliga on Thursday afternoon, Magogo outlined important items that he believes will take football in the country to another level. In attendance was by Uganda Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic, his assistants Fred Kajoba, Kefa Kisala and the national team players. Magogo was grateful of the technical team for selecting a competitive team that took on established teams on the continent during CHAN. He also thanked Rogers Byamukama the Leader of Delegation, Mujib Kasule and the other technical personnel at the tournament.
The President’s appreciation also extended to the Ugandan fans living in South Africa and those who travelled for the support they gave to the team. He thanked the Official Cranes Sponsors, Airtel without whom, the preparations and facilitations would have not been as they were.
‘The level of performance of the players notwithstanding the opposition has satisfied us, that with better preparations we can match the big boys on the continent. 21 days in camp, the discipline and dedication of the players and coaches was one of the reasons we narrowly missed a place in the quarterfinals’ said Magogo
Magogo noted that the build-up games the Cranes played against Egypt (twice), Rwanda and Mauritania were very vital in improving on the players’ confidence ahead of the tournament.
He also said that the players returned from South Africa different from what they were before the tournament. He further revealed that the CHAN championship was used as a platform for some of the players to open up opportunities for joining the paid ranks.
“I am certain that players like Yunus, Kasagga, Ntegge and others are not the same like before in the eyes of the coaches, the fans and themselves. Like I said before, the CHAN championship was a work in progress’ added a jovial Magogo at a fully packed conference room.
He also said that the team was disappointed on how close we got to the quarter finals but noted that they carried very many positives from CHAN and that on another day we could have performed better. He urged the fans to keep faith in the Uganda Cranes because it is our country and it is our game.
“We shall continue and strive to improve on the preparations, welfare and facilities of the national teams for the forthcoming competitions” said Magogo
The FUFA president also took time to inform the media that there is about Three Hundred and ten Million (UGX 310M) allocated for FUFA Member Associations but would be spent on activities like hiring a full time secretary, opening up secretariats and buying footballs.
In his final remarks Magogo, called on all stakeholders to come on board and help in developing football in Uganda. He said that the football politics takes a lot of resources at the expense of football development. He urged all stakeholders to condemn those who promote football politics ahead of football development.
‘Let us reserve our energies on helping the footballers earning a good living from football. It is our responsibility to maintain football as the number one sport in the country’ said Magogo.
The press conference was also attended by FUFA top Executive and committee members like 1st Vice President Justus Mugisha, 2nd Vice President Darius Mugoye, Hamid Juma and chairman Technical Mujib Kasule.