KAMPALA – President Yoweri Museveni has expressed government’s zeal and will in promoting sporting activities in Uganda as part of efforts to make sports one of the pillars of the country’s economy.
VP Edward Ssekandi
He has pledged government’s commitment in providing a conducive sports environment in the country and directed the Ministry of Education and Sports to come up with a policy on physical education and sports which will help to tap and develop talents at a tender age.
This was contained in a speech read for him by the Vice President Edward Ssekandi during the opening of the FUFA symposium at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala on Friday.
Museveni admitted that government has in the past not fully focused on developments like sports, adding that with the peace, security and stabilization of the economy, government is willing to do all is necessary to promote sports, including football to the next level.
He called upon the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) – the body that governs football in Uganda – to review football patterns in the country to find out why the country has been losing failing to progress to major tournaments.
Late last year, The Uganda Cranes failed to qualify for the Africa Nations Cup finals – currently being played out in Equatorial Guinea – when they failed to secure a draw against Guinea in Casablanca, Morocco.
It was the closest the country had come to qualifying for the continent’s biggest tournament, having last featured on that level in 1978.
‘Quick fixes won’t yield results’
It is such shortcomings that President Museveni was talking about, emphasizing that football requires a lot of hard work, unity and commitment. In this spirit, FUFA therefore was tasked to remain focused and explore all opportunities in order to reach the pinnacle.
Museveni said that besides its importance for health and social well-being, sports plays a significant role in marketing a country, adding that sporting activities like soccer are also big business globally and if maximized, can contribute tremendously to Uganda’s economy.
The president challenged FUFA to get back to the drawing board and strategize on the next course of action by working on a long-term strategy, underlining that quick fixes, however popular they may appear, will not yield meaningful results.
He went on to appreciate the support from corporate entities towards sporting activities in Uganda and recognized the FUFA executive efforts, committee, coaches and the players for the enormous work that has earned Uganda credentials in football.
Meanwhile, during the symposium, the State Minister for Sports Charles Bakkabulindi said government increased funding to sports from sh200m a decade ago to sh1.5bn to-date.
He added that although it (the funding) is not enough, it shows a positive commitment.
On his part FUFA president Moses Magogo said that modern football needs a more scientific approach to success, and that talent alone is not enough.
His urged government to promote football as a stand-alone institution and not based on individuals.
The symposium brought together current and former sports administrators, players, coaches, stakeholders, sponsors to forge a way forward following the country’s persistent failure to qualify for major sporting events.
Source The New Vision
