FUFA holds successful Consultative meeting with Ex-Internationals - FUFA: Federation of Uganda Football Associations

Posted on July 10, 2020 - 5:21 pm by Ahmed Marsha

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has held a successful consultative meeting with former International players at Ivy’s Hotel Wakaliga – on Friday.

A total number of 47 Ex-Internationals attended the meeting that was chaired by FUFA President. Moses Magogo.

Ex – Internationals attending the meeting with FUFA President at Ivys Hotel

Former Uganda Cranes and Express FC Captain George Ssemwogerere believes that the Federation should create opportunities for the Ex- Internationals.

‘This is my family. We all belong to football. I’m happy that we are here to discuss football and our matters.These people played football for the country. The federation should create opportunities for the ex-internationals. There are many job opportunities within the federation that can be shared among the ex-internationals. Let’s believe that there are always disagreements in a family but we need to minimise them and work together for the good of football’said George Ssemwogerere.

Goerge Ssemwogerere contributing during the meeting

Former Uganda Cranes goalkeeper (1978 AFCON Finals Paul Ssali urged ex-internationals to be organised, respect one another.

‘Many FUFA Presidents have tried bringing us together but disunity is our main weakness as Ex Internationals.
The only way we can prosper is by respecting one another and always fronting football issues. We should be organised and whenever I have any concerns, I go direct to the federation and but not in media. We should also be transparent and avoid being greedy. Football is wide, if we don’t embrace the courses available for coaching, administration, intermediary and others we can’t change our lives. Football is now professional and we can only earn from it when we have expertise in some areas‘ noted Paul Ssali.

Former Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Paul Ssali during the meeting

Dan Ntale stated that the federation has all the powers to make Ex – Internationals live a better life.

‘ I would prefer we start having regular meetings for sharing ideas, playing football and starting projects that build us and the game. We have come here as individuals but not as an organised Association. We would need the federation to lobby for us to have an improved life’ Ntale remarked.

‘We need to be a priority in most of the opportunities within the federation and there is a need for us to be aware of what is going on. We ask the Federation to welcome our opinions. We shall be grateful if the federation connects us to different football partners like State House maybe most of our concerns can be worked upon because we were football soldiers who represented the country internationally’ noted Dan Ntale.

‘We don’ give up on our responsibilities after leaving active football. We are challenged with many problems. A football player is a role model in society. and there should be a way to push our lives and welfare’ said Godfrey Nyola.

Godfrey Nyola was one of the Ex – Internationals that attended the meeting

Former KCCA FC captain and Uganda Cranes midfielder Jackson Mayanja trusts that having a SACCO for ex-internationals can be a solution to the problems faced by his fellow retired stars.

‘We need to get a solution to our welfare. We need to create a centre where we can present our grievances. We need to be professional if we are to prosper’ Jackson Mayanja.

Jackson Mayanja making his point during the meeting

While responding to the issues raised by the Ex – Internationals the FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo advised them to create and register an Association that can bring them together.

In the same line, FUFA President assured them that the Federation is ready to support the Association once fully registered.

However, he urged Ex – Internationals to have a strategy when creating an umbrella body and encouraged them to believe in themselves to become brands in football.

‘This is not the last meeting because we can’t come to a conclusion in this small period of time. We shall be gathering on several occasions to discuss issues regarding Ex-Internationals. Thank you for respecting each other when raising issues. The federation is always open to receive concerns from all football stakeholders. We have tried the best to cater for Ex-Internationals. We can solve issues without fighting. FUFA welcomes all stakeholders who are organised and with strategy. Whatever you are planning must have a strategy. All opinions must have plans. Football can make its own money’ said Eng. Moses Magogo

‘Life outside football is far different from football life. People can easily forget all about you when you retire. Most of you don’t believe in yourself. You should use the opportunity available. Deciding to attack the federation instead, you won’t be closer to the opportunities available. The relationship with the federation must be strong’ FUFA President added.

FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo talking to the Ex – Internationals during the meeting

Football is a Brand and will automatically pick you if you brand yourself. Let’s have an Ex – Internationals Association. The federation is ready to support it. The Uganda Football Players’ Association is different from the Ex – International Association. Regulate your Association and have it registered. – Eng. Moses Magogo.

The meeting was also attended by FUFA Exco Member Chris Kalibbala, FUFA CEO Edgar Watson and his Deputy in charge of Services Humphrey Mandu.