Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) held a successful consultative meeting with the different clubs at the new FUFA Complex building in Kampala on Monday, October 5, 2020.
The FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo chaired the tranquil meeting that was also graced by Darius Mugoye (FUFA second president Darius Mugoye), Decolas Kiiza (FUFA Deputy CEO – Football), Hamid Juma (FUFA Executive Committee member), Hajjati Aisha Nalule (Director FUFA Competitions Director), Ivan Kintu Bayige (FUFA Club licensing manager) and Ahmed Hussein (FUFA Communications Director) among others.
‘We thank you for the incredible work you are doing for football. Football clubs are the beginning blocks of football. Without clubs, you can not have football. You are making a contribution to the game of football. We are aware of the challenges everyone is going through because of COVID-19. We are in an abnormal year but football people want to play football but life is very important. It is not a matter of life and death. We must live tomorrow. As football people, we have a responsibility to make. Fair as possible so that we take football to the next level. There is no time and already club licensing is taking place. We received SOP’s from Government and the Ministry of Health that included playing before under closed doors, regular social distancing, masking and sanitizing as well as quarantine of the teams (tournament environment with camping hotel after undertaking COVID-19 tests)’ Eng. Moses Magogo.
Way forward:
The different club representatives in attendance shared their respective ideas and by the end of the meeting, it was agreed upon that FUFA would cost share the COVID-19 testing costs with the clubs, meet the accommodation, feeding of the team players and officials as well as provision of medical services for all the teams during the matches.
Some reactions:
‘This consultation between FUFA and the club is good enough. It shows the element of fair-play. With FUFA coming in with the cost sharing aspect, we are humbled‘ Edrine Ochieng, President Gaddafi Football Club remarked.
‘We are ready to meet feeding and accommodation costs, but the testing costs should be met by FUFA.’ Henry Owor, President Admin Football Club.
‘I wish to thank FUFA for negotiations with Government upon partial easing of sports. I urge the federation to come up with a proposed date for holding the play-offs to help the planning process. Also, I call upon FUFA to continue engaging the Government to reduce the cost of the COVID-19 tests from Shs. 240,000 which is way to big‘ Jasper Barigye Muhinda, CEO of Tiles & Terrazo Football Club.
‘If the sporting merit fails to determine the promoted clubs, then the club licensing measure should be considered to determine the prepared clubs in case football can not be played‘ Joseph Collins Ssemanda (Ndejje University).
‘The testing of players and players is expensive. FUFA Should come out and help out‘ Denis Omwon (Hotsprings Football Club).
‘We have to take the costs, playing without fans is okay in respect of the COVID-19 regulations. Cost sharing is a welcome venture‘ Julius Arega (Team Church Football Club).
FUFA Technical Center, Njeru has been confirmed as the venue for these play-offs.
The FUFA Competitions Department will release the detailed program and exact dates for the play-offs.
Tentatively, the play-offs for the Star Times FUFA Big League clubs kick off date has been set for 10th November 2020.
Attendance:
FUFA Officials:
Eng. Moses Magogo (FUFA President), Darius Mugoye (Second FUFA Vice President), Hamid Juma (FUFA Executive Committee Member), Hajjati Aisha Nalule (FUFA Competitions Director), Ahmed Hussein (FUFA Communications Director), Ivan Kintu Bayige (FUFA Club Licensing Manager)
Club Officials:
1 – Alfred Olwee- Northern Gateway Football Club
2 – Dirisa Mukiibi- Edgars Football Club
3 – Denis Omwon- Hotsprings Football Club
4- Onzima Kizito- Calvary Football Club
5 – Edrine Ochieng- Gaddafi Football Club
6 – Muhamadi Nsubuga- CATDA Football Club
7 – Jimmy Ojok – Young Elephants Football Club
8 – Douglas Ssekoma- Buwambo Football Club
9- Jasper Barigye Muhinda – Tiles & Terrazo Football Club
10 – Henry Owor – Admin Football Club
11-Aloysious Kalema – Tiles & Terazzo Football Club
12- John R Olukei- Sansiro Football Club
13- Julius Arega- Team Church Football Club
14-Joseph Isingoma- Booma Football Club
15-Ibrahim Kabengine- Asingya Football Club
16-Edrisa Sserubiri – Luwero United Football Club
17-Herbert Sekyewunda- Kigezi Football Club
18 – Joseph Collins Ssemanda- Ndejje University Football Club
19 – Hassan Kirunda- Kataka Football Club
20 – Wycliffe Mwambu – Kiboga Young Football Club
