Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) President Eng. Moses Magogo spent two days in Lira with the main aim of guiding the two representatives from Northern region in next season’s Big League on how to shift from amateur to professional status.
The FUFA President’s 48 hour stay in the region’s sports hub will definitely yield results as some have already been recorded.
On day two his stay in Lira together with his Executive Committee member Dr. Patrick Bernard Ogwel and FUFA Communications Manager Ahmed Hussein, the FUFA President held cordial meetings with various leaders in the district aimed at spreading the FUFA Clubs Pro Agenda to the powers in the region.
Day one on Tuesday saw Eng. Magogo take the Big League sides Lira sporting United and new comers Bright Light FC on the transition process from amateur to professional football.
At Lira Municipal Council, the FUFA President held talks with the Mayor His Worship Mike Ogwang Bebe.
‘We have football lovers in Lira. Our region has produced stars. Some have grown old while others passed. We need to replace them. As leaders we must help FUFA in this programme to get new players’ said Ogwang.
‘Our region is blessed with sports leaders like Omara Apitta (Commissioner for Sports) and Bosco Onyik (NCS Chairman). Our council will try its best to help these clubs by providing them some revenue collected from the district’ added the Mayor.
‘I will contact other stakeholders in this region to help raise funds for these clubs’ His Worship the Mayor further noted.
FUFA President also had a guided tour of the site where the ongoing works of the new Akii Bua stadium are ongoing.
‘It is wonderful project. If completed, FUFA will include the facility amongst those to be inspected by CAF and FIFA for future international engagements for Uganda Cranes’ said Magogo.
The new stadium is on a 46 acre expansive land.
The President’s day’s busy schedule also saw him meet the District CAO Mugolo Richard and Chairman LC V Alex Oremo A lot.
Both leaders were happy with the FUFA Clubs Pro Agenda launched today at Pacific Hotel at a function attended by officials of both Lira Sporting United and Bright Light.
‘We thank you for bringing this programme to our region which benefits both sets of people on the local and international scene. This programme will link our region to the rest of Uganda and the world’ said Oremo.
‘We are indeed more than ready to give you more support to make this programme a success. I will present in the Council our sports agenda that will cover the two clubs Sporting United and Bright Light’ added Oremo.
The CAO Mugolo said that football there is no need for players in Lira to move to other parts of the country if the FUFA Clubs Pro Agenda is followed.
The cultural leaders were also briefed about the programme which was welcomed by the Rt Hon Prime Minister Richard Nam of the Lango Cultural Foundation.
‘We shall give FUFA massive support in this programme. The 153 clans in the region will help in the process of creating feeder clubs from which teams at higher levels can sign players from the lower ranks’
The RDC Simon Mutachuka Amooti noted the programme highlights an area of event management and security.
‘We shall maintain high levels of security during the games to be hosted by Sporting United and Bright Light. My office will work hand in hand with other district leaders to make sure that the home sides and visitors get good security during matches. The fans also must be rest assured that their safety will be a top priority item during matches’
During the launch late in the afternoon on Wednesday, Hon. Okello George Vice Chairman Lira District could not hide his joy.
‘We are blessed to have this programme come tour region for the first time in Uganda. It is a privilege to us that FUFA picked on Lira the centre of sports stars in Northern Uganda to become the pioneers. Let us take up the opportunity with open hands and don’t have to let down football in the region’ said Okello.
FUFA is using the two clubs as pioneers of the programme in Northern Uganda and will later spread to other parts of the country.
‘Mbale, Iganga, Masaka and Mbarara are traditional football hubs that have been identified by FUFA for this similar programme in future’ said FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo.
He added; ‘We are overwhelmed by the response from the district leaders towards the programme. We believe that our visit in Lira will yield results. The leaders are very positive towards the Clubs Pro Agenda’
FUFA donated balls to the two Big League sides.
The clubs were taken through the objectives, rules and regulations of the Club Licensing Seminar all aimed at improving the levels of the game in the region.
What some participants say;
Pastor Ageno Rwot-Vice Chairman Lira District Football Association ‘This is a brilliant programme that will help our clubs pick a leaf in the areas of management of players, coaches and fans. You will notice the difference’
Simon Obong Opio-Chief Executive Officer Sporting United FC ‘Our region will benefit alot from this course. I am glad that our region got the first opportunity for this progamme. We shall try our best to take this programme to other clubs’
Mike Odongo Chairman Bright Light FC (new comers in the FUFA Big League) ‘We cannot run away from professionalism. It’s the only way to follow if football needs to change in Uganda’
11 key players on FUFA Club Pro Agenda
1-Goal keeper-Structures
2-Right back-Finances
3-Left back-Medical
4-Center back-Facilities
5-Libero-Stadium
6-Central Midfield-senior team
7-Right Wing-Youth Set Up
8-Central Midfield-Marketing
9-Forward-Fans
10-Forward-Communications
11-Left Wing-Event Management
