Welcome and appreciation
I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome everybody here. Our representative from the Government of Uganda, the Executive committee of FUFA, the representatives from the different stakeholders and the entire Uganda U17 team. Please, you are welcome to this event.
Before I proceed, I want to thank the Federation of Uganda Football Associations, from the Executive Committee to our members, for the work well done for us to be where we are today and why we are here.
I also want to thank the Government of Uganda, headed by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, and the Minister in charge of Education and Sports and the entire Government apparatus for the support they give us.
I want to thank the parents, because we are talking about players who are below 17 years of age, who are still under parental control, that the parents have allowed us to have the children during school time, to be able to represent their Country.
Acknowledging supporters
I also want to thank the different schools where these children are coming from, that also they have allowed the children to be available and give them the opportunity to take the best of their talents. The different academies in Uganda, Uganda Youth Football Association Chairman Roberts Kiwanuka and your team, because we see these players, but it has been a long journey. The representatives of clubs here, Vipers SC, KCCA FC, NEC FC and all other clubs. We are very proud that we have appreciated the ‘mulamwa’ of FUFA, to take on junior teams and be able to manufacture players of the future.
Appreciation to team and staff
Of course, the gallant players, yourselves, thank you so much for the work you have done for this country, that you listened, you worked very hard, you delivered. The coach and your team, thank you so much, for also working very hard. We appreciate, as a Country, for the work you have done. FUFA will support this team to make sure it succeeds in Qatar. We are excited that we shall be at the global stage where Uganda will get the chance to be drawn against the biggest names in world football like Argentina, Brazil and many others.
Special thanks
The media, for the reporting, for being able to report what has been happening. Thank you so much for doing your job.
The fans, I am told there were fans as early as 5 o’clock in the morning at Entebbe International airport, waiting for the team. Thank you so much. You give us the fuel to run the game.
Let me extend special thanks to Mr. Ali Semyalo. He is not here. He is a former national team and Express FC player, but on his own cost, travelled to Morocco and stayed with the team throughout.
Congratulatory messages from the President, First Lady
I want to bring you congratulatory messages from His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, and Mama, the Minister of Education and Sports Janet Museveni. Yesterday (On Monday) we were in a meeting about AFCON and CHAN, and this is what they said. That they congratulate you very much and it was my duty to deliver this message.
FUFA’s Strategic Planning
As a Federation, this has been a strategy. You know everything is done by strategy. There are very many people who have said, these people are lucky. Yes, we are lucky. But luck loves those who plan, because whatever we are doing and seeing today, is planned.
Youth football development initiatives
We sit in the boardroom to come up with a strategy. For us to be able to succeed at the highest level, we need to deliberately make intentions about youth football in Uganda.
We started the FUFA U17 Juniors League, and many naysayers thought that it cannot happen, it’s not practical. But since 2015, when we launched the FUFA U17 Juniors League, there has been a lot of success already. We have also entered all our teams for available international competitions by CECAFA, CAF and FIFA.
Importance of early identification and development
If you do not play football at the right time, there is no accident that later you will come up and play football. It is no longer possible. We have also been able to introduce different competitions. I mentioned the FUFA U17 Juniors League, but we have also introduced FUFA Odilo for Primary Schools. The countries we look at and admire, they have done this for very many years.
Player development programmes
These competitions we are talking about, are competitions that we have not been engaged in. But they have been around. So, in 2015, we deliberately decided to invest in youth football. We have players who have come through and observed their art. In the FUFA Tv Cup, we had Owino and Magogo Shakur. There have also been products of the Odilo Cup that we started for the primary schools.
Technical Master Plan (TMP)
We have also launched the technical master plan… This is very, very intentional. And I am insisting on being intentional. The technical master plan is looking at the path of the player. For you to be able to get that player to the top, that player must be identified.
Finally, let us remember that success in football requires a combination of hard work, dedication and strategic planning. As we celebrate the achievements of our young players, let us continue to nurture and support them, providing them with the opportunities and resources they need to excel. By working together and staying committed to our goals, I am confident that Ugandan football will continue to thrive and achieve great things.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ADDRESS BY FUFA PRESIDENT HON. MAGOGO MOSES HASSIM AT SHERATON HOTEL
Welcome and Appreciation to
– Government of Uganda
– FUFA Executive Committee
– Parents
– Schools
– Academies (Roberts Kiwanuka-Chairman Uganda Youth Football Association and his team)
– Clubs (Vipers SC, KCCA FC, etc.)
– Media
– Fans
– Coach and team
– Special thanks to Mr. Ali Semyalo, a former national team player who supported the team in Morocco
Acknowledging Supporters
Appreciation to:
– Parents for allowing their children to participate
– Schools for supporting the players
– Academies for developing young talent
– Clubs for contributing to player development
Appreciation to Team and Staff
– Thanking the players for their hard work and dedication
– Appreciation to the coach and team for their efforts
Special Thanks
– Thanking the media for their coverage
– Appreciation to the fans for their support
– Special thanks to Mr. Ali Semyalo for his support
Congratulatory Messages
– Delivering congratulatory messages from:
– His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda
– Mama, the Minister of Education and Sports Janet Museveni
FUFA’s Strategic Planning
– Emphasis on strategic planning and intentional investment in youth football
– FUFA’s initiatives:
– FUFA U17 Juniors League
– Odilo Cup (for primary schools)
– FUFA TV Cup (for schools)
– CAF and FIFA competitions
Youth Football Development Initiatives
– Importance of early identification and development
– Player development programs:
– Identifying young talent
– Providing opportunities for players to develop their skills
Technical Master Plan (TMP)
– Launch of the Technical Master Plan
– Focus on identifying and developing young players
– Importance of intentional planning and investment in youth football
Conclusion
– Emphasis on the importance of hard work, dedication, and strategic planning in achieving success in football.
