The former stars of the various Uganda national teams and the FUFA president Engineer Moses Magogo interfaced today at Ivy’s hotel in Wakaliga with the aim of getting to understand each other and also devise means of promoting football. The Ex-Internationals who were meeting the leader of football in the country for the first time were calm as they introduced themselves and presented their views.
‘This is historical. For several years, this has never happened before for the Ex Internationals to meet a FUFA president. We are glad that such forums are being organized by FUFA for football lovers’ said Patrick Ntege.
The former Express FC player played a key role in setting up the meeting between the federation and former national team stars.
‘This group feels that there was an intentional move to kick them out of football forever. But since we have got the chance, let us iron out issues and take football forward’ said Muhamood Kateregga.
Before Magogo made his presentation on how his Executive would like to run football in the next four years, the Ex-International were given chance to express their views and also suggest ideas on football development.
Many of the Ex Internationals who spoke raised issues ranging from lack of coaching opportunities, poor communication, non-involvement in FUFA activities, representation in the Assembly, and recognition in the football establishment. They also said that lack of sponsorship for the top flight league is making tem lose out on many opportunities of making money from the sport.
In his presentation, Magogo revealed that he was happy to meet the Ex-stars and is confident they can work together to achieve results in football.
He also said that there are plans for the Ex-stars including coaching courses to improve the technical aspect of the game in future.
‘The federation is about to sign Memorandum of Understanding with various schools of excellence to improve football at the grass root levels. The schools will be provided with coaches from the federation’ added Magogo.
He further said ‘We are here to share ideas as the federation believes that you have a lot to offer to football in Uganda’
Magogo also elaborated on the representation of different members of FUFA in the Assembly including how the Ex Internationals missed out.
“The Assembly is a collection of representatives of various groups that are actively participating in football. The Ex-internationals may not have an active role but can be part of the players union. The players union could be composed of Ex-internationals associations and Ex-players Associations each bringing one delegate to the FUFA General Assembly” proposed Magogo
He encouraged the Ex-Internationals to get involved in the football administration which will help to increase their representation in the assembly. He promised the ex-Internationals that there would be such forums annually to discuss about football development.
“Such a forum annually is better than 2 representatives into the General Assembly. Here many of you have spoken about football while in the General Assembly your delegates may never speak even once” emphasized Magogo
Those who attended included among others Issa Sekatawa, Mathias Kawesa, Friday Senyonjo, Hebert Nsubuga, Shaka Okello, Ashe Mukasa, Godfrey Nyola, and Paul Mukatabala
The FUFA president has lined up meetings with different stakeholders that have seen him interact with referees, regional chairmen and Uganda Sports Press Association. He will continue to interface with many stakeholders that include; The 31 FUFA Members, Uganda Cranes Ambassadors, – Uganda Youth Football , Association, Various Football Competitions Organisers (Copa Coca cola, University football league, Tertiary institutions and colleges football Association, Masaza, Bika and all other FUFA recognized competitions).
Photo: FUFA President Engineer Moses Magogo (in suit-Right) and Ex-Internationals in a group photo after deliberations today at Ivys Hotel.
