The Government of Uganda through the National Council of Sports (NCS) under the Ministry of Sports and Education has recognised the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) among the the top performing Sports federations in the 2018 calendar year.
The recognition was made on Tuesday evening during an end of year awards convention-cum- dinner held at the MTN Indoor Arena, Lugogo for NCS with all the over 45 sports federations in the country.
FUFA, Uganda Netball Federation (UNF), Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF), Uganda Cricket Association (UCA), Uganda Rugby Union (URU), Uganda Woodball Federation(UWbF), Association Of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) and Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) were all recognised for the outstanding performances in the closing year.
FUFA was represented by a strong team led by President Eng. Moses Magogo, the 1st FUFA Vice President Justus Mugisha and FUFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Edgar Watson.
Speaking on behalf of all the sports federations in the country, Eng. Magogo appreciated the Government for the continued support to sports development and mainly financially.
He also hinted on the desire to perform well since the platform to compete on the international scene has been created before he highlighted the challenges faced by the respective sports federations and associations.
I would like to thank the Government of Uganda especially the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady who is also the Minister of Education and Sports Mama Janet Kataaha Museveni for the continued effort to support sports development in the country. We are now international contenders. There is sanity in sports federations with an improved cooperate image. There has been a recognised and improved funding for all sports activities. However, a few challenges such as limited equipment, facilities still remain a barrier. Uganda would be able to host the TOTAL Africa Cup of Nations, but we lack the stadia. I congratulate everyone who has done well in the year 2018.
Chief guest at the function, also the State minister in charge of Sports Hon. Charles Bakabulindi handed over the beautiful plaque to Eng. Magogo, who was accompanied to the podium by the CEO Watson and the first vice president Mugisha.
Chairman of the National Council of Sports Bosco Onyik called upon all the sports federations to prepare adequately since they manage sporting affairs directly with the players. He also hinted of the new sporting federations added to the already swelling list in the year 2018.
Hon. Bakabulindi thanked the efforts of Sports federations in their respective roles to promote sports in the country. He vowed to continue lobbying for their improved facilitation as the new year comes knocking.
The guests wined and dined with a cake served to all in merry making style at the year ending event.
A couple of outstanding National Council of Sports staff were also recognised for the tremendous effort.
FUFA has had a wonderful year 2018 where the Uganda Cranes Qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations 2019, Uganda U-17 National team (Cubs) made it to the AFCON U-17 Finals for the first time, the Uganda Women National team took part in the CECAFA Women Championship in Rwanda and COSAFA in South African finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively. KCCA FC reaching the Group stages of the CAF Champions League and the successful completion of the various FUFA Competitions and other activities also bring out the highlights in football.
There were also achievements off the field as the federation purchased two buildings in Mengo for the extension of FUFA Offices, started the works on the Kadiba grounds and also bought land in Lugazi for the construction of the FUFA Stadium.
The sponsorships that came in to football are also a beautiful story to write home about as StarTimes took over the Uganda Premier League while Airtel renewed the deal with FUFA and Uganda Cranes.
MAIN PHOTO: L-R- FUFA CEO Edgar Watson, UOC President William Blick, FUFAPresident Eng. Moses Magogo, Minister of State for Sports Hon. Charles Bakabulindi and FUFA 1st VP Justus Mugisha
