Author: Ahmed Marsha

The first ever FIFA Com – Unity Women football workshop has successfully concluded on Wednesday evening in Kampala.

Uganda was selected by Federation of International of International Football Association (FIFA) to host the FIFA Com – Unity workshop.

FIFA sent in a strong team of three experienced personel, Emy Cassaletti, Jacqui Shipanga (FIFA Instructors) and the FIFA Development Officer, Florie Ramogodi from Bostwana.

We thank FIFA for having given us this golden opportunity to host this event and hopefully, it is the turning point for Uganda’s football and women football in particular

The Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) Women’s Com – Unity Seminar has successfully ended on Wednesday at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.

The workshop was organized by FUFA with full support from the world’s football body.

www.fufa.co.ug was at full alert and brings you the key quotes from the several presenters, administrators, sponsors, participants and media personalities.

Emy Casaletta – FIFA Instructor:

FIFA president, Joseph Sepp Blatter says ‘Football is feminine’. The World’s governing body is committed to supporting the beautiful game among the women with increased funding.

Jacqui Shipanga – FIFA Instructor and Namibian National women head coach:

Uganda is on the right track to see that women football is in line and uplifted. Namibia was like Uganda 15 years ago and we did the basics right and today we are smiling.

FUFA needs to appropriately package the brand of women’s football and the Government, sponsors, media and other stake holders will embrace it fully.

Eng. Moses Magogo, FUFA President:

FUFA is committed to offering full support towards the women football development in Uganda. We thank FIFA for this golden opportunity as the first African nation to host the FIFA Com – Unity women football workshop and the Live your goals’ campaign. We plan a national women’s league in 2015 and continued funding to the women football projects.

Sabiiti Muwanga, USPA –president:

Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) president, Sabiiti Muwanga   

This seminar is a very good initiative and I hope they come up with good resolutions that the federation and the country can implement. We have a lot to learn from Namibia as according to the presentation by Jacqui Shipanga a FIFA instructor who is also the Namibian national women football team coach.

Hadijjah ‘Lady Mourinho’ Namuyanja – FUFA women football co-ordinator:

I am so thankful to FUFA and FIFA for bringing this seminar to Uganda and I am certainly sure it’s going to go a very long way in developing women football in Uganda because it has brought together all stakeholders to forge a way for the women’s game.

There’s no way we could have pulled this off alone as women. In fact I am already excited about the future.

Edgar Watson – FUFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO):

Uganda is privileged to have hosted this women’s football workshop and i believe it will benefit the development of women football in Uganda and the region as a whole.

Joseph Owino, IT specialist, founder of www.kawowo.com and Owino Solutions Limited:

Information technology is evolving each passing day. The better way of packaging the women football brand and circulating it on the fast raising social media plat forms (websites, facebook, twitter, linkedlin and the others).

Paul Ssali-  Celebrated women football coach (Uganda Cranes Goal keeper at AFCON 1978 finals):

This seminar is very timely cause it has come at a time when we so badly need to uplift the game from the shadows of the men’s game.

It has helped us streamline ways through which we are going to develop women football from the grass root and whole heartedly. I am sure the future is very bright for women football.

Patrick Luwandagga, Celebrated journalist (Works for national broad Caster, UBC TV):

This seminar is a wake up call on the way we have been managing football in Uganda not only women football.

Just like the lady from Namibia (FIFA instructor Jacqui Shipanga), we need to develop women football right from the grassroot and please the time to start is now to implement the resolutions of this seminar and this should be done in a professional way just like it is being done in the South African region.

Jasper Aligaweesa, Gen Secretary, National Council of Sports:

I Commend FIFA for the programme and i strongly believe this is the right path by FUFA to develop women football in the country.
Asuman Lubowa, FUFA technical director:

We invited very many people to this seminar and good enough a number of them have turned up.

As FUFA we are impressed by the turn up it shows that there so many people out there with interest in women football.

If only now the resolutions from this seminar are embraced by all the stakeholders that is;  the government, parents, sponsors, media I am sure women’s football will develop to the level that we desire it to be.

Noella Byuma – Brand and Assets Manager, Airtel Uganda:

As Airtel Uganda, we are 100 percent the women football development process especially with the Airtel Rising Stars U-17 tournament, which has been running for 4 years now.

We give the same cash prizes, trophies and other prizes to the girls and boys without discrimination.

Oliver Mbekeka, former Uganda Crested Cranes captain:
The seminar has opened my eyes to many essential issues that ought to be addressed to pave way for the development of women football in Uganda.

The instructors have done a wonderful job and now what we need to do is to start this development process right from down and do so with passion.

Doreen Apolot, former Uganda Crested Cranes player:

The workshop itself is productive and on point but we do not know if the resolutions will be implemented.

Our problem in Uganda has always been policies that are not committed to the development of women football.

I am happy that this seminar has opened people’s minds to this and pray that this changes cause when it comes to talent the girls are already there and in plenty but all they need is an opportunity to be availed to them to play.

Majidah Nantanda, Uganda Crested Cranes coach:

I appreciate this seminar for acting as an eye opener to us and helping us undestand that if women’s football is to develop in our country we need to stop looking at only the women football office at FUFA instead we should also bring on board other people with special capacity for instance involving the media, sponsors, coaches, administrators, the government among others. Former players also need to be embraced as idols to help inspire youngsters to take on the sport because women football is now the fastest growing female sport in the world.

TUESDAY RESULTS:

KCC 3-0BUL

Scorers: Senkumba Hakim, Brian Majwega, Nsibambi Derrick

Rwenshama 3-2 URA

Scorers: Malingumu Julius (2), Simbwa Geoffrey (Rwenshama)

Kalanda Frank, Ngama Emmanuel (URA)

Police 2-1 Express FC

Scorers: Kasumba Umar (2)-Police, Kavuma Willy (Express FC)

Kira Young 1-1 Soana

Scorers: Obitre Emmanuel (Kira Young), Lubega Ronald (OG)

MAIN PHOTO: Derrick Nsibambi (left) was on target as KCC FC cruised to a 3-0 win BUL FC in the Uganda Premier League today at Lugogo.

Photo credit: FUFA Communications department

The FIFA Com – Unity seminar for women’s football entered day two at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.

After a successful opening day on Monday, the workshop kicked off with the second day.

Key on the agenda was the presentation on the media and communication in relation to developing the game of football among the female gender.

FIFA Instructor, Emy Casaletti interacts with Crested Cranes coach, Majidah Nantandah at the workshop. 

FIFA instructor, Emy Casaletti presented about the overview of the media and communications set up at the world’s football body, FIFA.

“FIFA is very keen about the positives from efficient communication and how it can take the women development process to the desired level” she said.

Casalletti applauded the efforts of FUFA especially through the  federation website and face book, twitter and other social media plat forms to develop women’s football.

Namibia women national football team head coach, Jacqui Shipanga highlighted to the participants how media swiftly helps communication to be conveyed to the masses using the case study of the Namibian media.

“In Namibia, we have engaged all the media houses and we are close associates in the process” Shipanga, who is also a FIFA Instructor said.

FUFA Spokesman, Ahmed Hussein conveyed the communication strategy, media’s role and the ideas the media can share in line with football development in Uganda.

FUFA Spokesman, Ahmed Hussein presenting the communication strategy and role of media in women football development in Uganda.

Other presenters have been Jane Kasumba (with a paper on Television).

Jane Kasumba of UBC T.V presented about the role of Television in women football marketing.

Kasumba assured the participants how the national broadcaster can easily join the women football bandwagon once the organizers of the game organize the game.

Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) president, Sabiiti Muwanga (on the sports coverage as USPA).

USPA president, Sabiiti Muwanga has challenged women to learn how to package their content to attract coverage in the press.

Owino Solutions and Kawowo Sports CEO, Joseph Owino presented a paper on the new media, internet and the mobile in relation to women football development in Uganda.

Kawowo Sports and Owino Solutions’ CEO, Joseph Owino presented on how best the internet (new media) can be efficiently used to market and sensitize the game of football in Uganda.

Shipanga had a brief presentation about the FIFA Live your goals’ festival that Uganda is set to host on Thursday, 4th December 2014 at the KCC stadium in Kampala.

Like on the opening day, all the participants were actively engaged in the proceedings of the workshop with interactive working groups where members exchanged and presented different ideas.

Group 2 Participants in a group session during the workshop second day.

Uganda will make history as the first country on the African continent to host the Live Your Goals Programme.

The workshop is set to climax on Wednesday with a certificate awarding ceremony.

MAIN PHOTO: FIFA Instructor and Namibia National Women Football Coach, Jacqui Shipanga shares a light moment with some of the participants at the FIFA Com – Unity women football workshop held at Imperial Royale Hotel In Kampala.

PHOTO CREDITS: FUFA Communications Department

The Federation of International Football Associations FIFA Com – Unity women football workshop has successfully started at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.

FUFA Spokesman, Ahmed Hussein is overseeing the day’s programme as the Master of Ceremony.

The workshop, whose major aim among others is to generate ideas of how to develop women’s football in the country was opened by Uganda State Minister of Sports, Hon. Charles Bakabulindi.

FIFA instructor, Emy Casaletti (left) with Hon Charles Bakabulindi

“It is a pleasure FIFA blessed us with such a workshop of this magnitude. I believe it will help our game grow to another level” Charles Bakabulindi said.

This has been the start of the 4 day event that will climax with the Women football festival at KCCA stadium in Lugogo.

FUFA CEO Edgar Watson addresses the participants at Imperial Royale Hotel. He made a speech on behalf of the FUFA President Eng Moses Magogo.

Speaker after speaker, the need to build  the development web of women’s football with grass root programmes as the core element.

FIFA Development Officer, Florie Ramogodi and FIFA Instructor, Emmy Casaletti made key presentations at the start of the workshop.

FIFA Instructor, Jacquiline Shipanga, also the Namibia national women football team applauded FUFA on the path they have undertaken to get women football in Uganda on track.

FIFA Instructor, Jacquiline Shipanga from Namibia presenting

“In Namibia,we were also once at this stage. But through government support, resource mobilization and team work of all partners, women’s football in Namibia is now a great brand” Shipanga said.

The workshop is being attended by special interest groups of people.

Active and former women football players, media personnel.

National Council of Sports Assistant General Secretary, David Ssemakula Katende reassured government’s support towards the development of sports in Uganda.

Programme Manager, Premier Skills Programme, British Council, Uganda, Millicent Mugabi addressed the  participants on the British Council’s interest in women football issues particularly the programme of training female referees.

Millicent Mugabi of British Council at the workshop

Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) Women and Sports Commission member, M/s Sharifah Sanyu highlighted about the planning and  eventual implementation of action plans towards the process of developing Women football in the country.

SOS’ Norman Kitara informed the participants that the organization has a broad plan of encouraging young girls to play football.

Day one of the workshop ended with group presentation.

Group Discussions after the workshop.

MAIN PHOTO: Participants at the ongoing FIFA Com – Unity Women Football Workshop taking place at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.

PHOTO CREDITS: FUFA Communications Department.

Ahead of the three day’s FIFA Com – Unity course that starts on Monday at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, FIFA instructor and national  team women coach for Namibia  Jacqueline Shipanga arrived on Sunday.

Shipanga will be one of the many course facilitators. Others will be from NGO’s, National Council of Sports and Government, FUFA administrators including FUFA President, Eng Moses Magogo, Media specialists and Women football advocates.

After the three day’s workshop, the women football festival at the KCCA Stadium in Lugogo will crown it all.

PROGRAMME

DAY 1: Development of women’s football (WF)

Topics:

– Current status and potential of women’s football

– Activities organised by the government focusing on women’s sports

– Women’s football strategy and development

– Grassroots football development programmes

– National teams, coaches, players and referees

– Impact of women’s football on social and educational development programmes.
09.00 Opening – Promotional Video

• Opening comments by FUFA President, Eng Moses Magogo

• Opening comments by FIFA, Development Office

• Opening comments by government representative – Hon. Minister Charles Bakabulindi

10.00-10.30 –  Coffee break and group photo

10:30– 10:50 – Introduction to the seminar: objectives & goals

• Programme

• Administrative matters

• Introduction of al participants

10:50 – 11:30 – Promotional Video

FIFA’s presentation focusing on women’s football development, promotion and competitions FIFA & FIFA Instructor

11:30 – 12:00

Member Association presentation

• WF development plan – general

• WF technical development – education of coaches, referees and administrators

• WF national competition development Chairperson FUFA Women’s Football committee-Ms Mariam Kaliga

Technical Director Lubowa Asuman

12:00-12:20 –  Presentation by a government representative Mr.  David Katende-National Council of Sports (NCS).

12:20 – 12:40- Presentation by a FIFA on Live Your Goals FIFA

12:40 – 13:10-  Presentation by the NOC Sharifa Sanyu- UOC

13:10 – 13:25- Presentation by NGOs Millicent Mugabi of British Council

13.25-14.00 -Lunch

14:00 – 14:15 –  Presentation by SOS Children’s Village NGO –Norman Kitara

Introduction to working groups Instructors

15.00-15.30 – Coffee break

Presentations by working groups Group leaders

Summary and conclusions of the day

MAIN PHOTO: FIFA Instructor, Jacqueline Shipanga addresses the media shortly after arrival at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.

PHOTO CREDITS: FUFA Communications Department

UPL-Fixtures

Match day 11

Tuesday 2nd December, 2014 (All Matches Kick off 4: 30 pm)

KCC vs BUL – Lugogo Stadium, Kampala

Rwenshama vs URA –  Mityana Ssaza grounds

Police vs Express  Kavumba Recreational Stadium

Kira Young vs Soana Namboole 4:30pm

Friday 5th December, 2014

Sadolin vs Lweza- Bugembe , Jinja

Bright Stars vs Entebbe – Lugogo

SC Villa vs Simba Mityana Ssaza grounds

Vipers vs SCVU – Buikwe Stadium

FUFA BIG LEAGUE RESULTS, 29th November 2014

Rwenzori Group:

The Saints 1 – 0 Sporting United

Kumi United 3 – 2 Baza holdings

Elgon Group:

Synergy 0 – 4 Masaka LC

VCC 2 – 0 Busia United

Kirinya-Jinja SS 2 – 1 Proline

Former Premier League side, Masaka Local Council Football Club won the derby over Synergy 2 – 0 in an interesting Elgon group FUFA Big league match played at the Masaka Recreational Recreational Stadium on Saturday.

Abdul Kannana notched a brace, before Ken Rogers Teziggwa and an own goal by Synergy goal keeper (Peter Lubega) gave the former Premier side the three points.

In the other Elgon match played, Masindi’s VCC beat Busia United 2 – 0 at the Masindi stadium.

After a goal less  opening 45 minutes, Rashid Magoola and Dickens Achidri got the goals for the Masindi based team, bank rolled by Taban Amin.

In the Rwenzori group there were three games played. The Saints beat visiting Lira side, Sporting United 1 – 0 at Namboole Stadium.

Striker, Alex Kitata scored the lone goal of the game in the dying minutes of the first half in the game played on a slippery ground that followed an early morning downpour.

In  the other games played, Baza Holdings were shocked away 2 – 3 in Kumi town by Kumi United while Kirinya Jinja S.S overcame Proline 2  -1 in Jinja.

UPL FIXTURES – Friday, 28th November 2014:

Soana vs Sadolin- Kavumba Recreational Stadium

Express vs KCC – Wankulukuku Stadium

URA vs Kira Young – Mehta Stadium, Lugazi

Simba vs SCVU – Bombo Military Stadium

Vipers vs Rwenshama – Buikwe Stadium, Mukono

The Uganda Premier League gets returns on Friday, 28th November 2014 with 5 fixtures on card.

Table leaders, Vipers have what looks the easiest fixtures on paper as they face struggling Rwenshama, who are bottom with just 2 points.

The match will take place at Vipers’ home ground at Buikwe in Mukono.

Rwenshama has not won a single game this season and a massive 21 points separate the two sides.

There will be a city derby when Express F.C hosts  defending champions, KCC at the intimidating Mutesa II stadium, Wankulukuku.

KCC starts life without coach George ‘Best’ Nsiimbe who gave way to his assistant, Abdullah Mubiru.

Another win-less side, Soana will be targeting first victory of the season as they host Jinja based team, Sadolin F.C.

Harunah Kebba’s Simba F.C hosts Morley Byekwaso’s Sports Club Victoria University at the Bombo Military Stadium.

The other game will be played at the Mehta Stadium in Lugazi as the home side, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) entertains Kira Young Football Club.

BEACH SOCCER – International Friendly:

Sat, 6th December 2014

Zanzibar Vs Uganda Sand Cranes

In Zanzibar

Uganda National beach Soccer team, The Sand Cranes will play Zanzibar in an international friendly game on Saturday, 6th December 2014 in the Indian Ocean nation of Zanzibar.

The team’s head coach Harunah Kebba has already summoned 17 players set to travel on Tuesday.

Baker Lukooya features for MUBS in the Pepsi beach soccer league

There will be an official flag off for the team on Monday, 1st December 2014 at FUFA House in Mengo.

The Uganda Sand Cranes team is preparing for AFCON Beach Soccer Championships that will be hosted by Seychelles in April 2014.

There is planned training for the team with two dates set in December (28th and 29th) before a test match that will take place at Lido Beach resort in Entebbe.

Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) mandated the Uganda Beach Soccer Association (UBSA) to organize the game of Beach Soccer in Uganda.

So far, UBSA has recorded success in organizing the Pepsi national beach soccer league, the Women’s league, Corporate League, University and Institutions Championships and secondary schools tournaments.

One front where UBSA has scored highly is the securing of sponsors (Crown Beverages Limited under the Pepsi brand) to run the national beach soccer league.

The Sand Cranes team:

Goal Keepers:

Michael Kalule (Sand Pirates), Nasser Rwamunda (Buwanika Bulls United)

Defenders:

Douglas Muganga (Nkumba Select), Derrick Teko (Y.M.C.A), Davis Kasujja (MUBS), Jeff Akabwayi (KIU), Ambrose Naturinda (Y.M.C.A), Joseph Nsubuga (St. Lawrence University)

Creative Players:

Baker Lukooya (MUBS), Johnnie Levita (Real Galaticos), Saidi Mzee (Real Galaticos), Emma Kalyoowa (St. Lawrence University)

Strikers:

Brian Nkuubi (MUBS), Phillip Lwezawula (St Lawrence University), Roch Somoka (Nkumba Select), Nicholas Kamya (Sand Pirates), Ismail Kagingo (KIU)

Technical Department:

Head Coach: Harunah Kebba

Assistant Coach: Peter Sseguya

Vice Chairman Technical: Hamzah Jjunju

MAIN PHOTO: The Pepsi Beach Soccer league action at action. The players called all feature in the league.

PHOTO CREDITS: FUFA Communications Department

FUFA BIG LEAGUE:

Elgon Group:

Thursday, 27th November 2014 (All Games Kick off 4:30 p.m):

Proline Vs Wandegeya – Lugogo

Maroons Vs Artland – Luzira Prisons Play ground

Kirinya Jinja S.S Vs Kireka United – Kirinya S.S grounds

Rwenzori Group:

Jinja Municipal Council Vs Soroti Garage – Kakindu Stadium

Paidah Black Angels Vs Hope Doves – Barokoro Zombo Stadium

Water F.C Vs Vs Ngora Freda Carr – Mengo S.S Grounds

CRO Vs Namasagali F.C – Mbale Municipal Stadium

The FUFA Big league returns to the fray once again with 7 fixtures across the country on Thursday, 27th November 2014.

3 of the games will be played in the Elgon group and another 4 in the Rwenzori group.

Elgon group leaders, Kireka United face stern away test against the unpredictable Kirinya Jinja S.S side in Jinja as Artland K plays Maroons at the Luzira Stadium.

After Thursday, the league will take a day off before it resumes on Saturday with another round of games to be played.

In the Rwenzori group, leaders Water F.C will pray and play for a home victory at their Mengo S.S Stadium to ensure a lead extension since their arch rivals, The Saints F.C will not be in action.

Saturday, 29th November 2014:

Elgon Group:

VCC Vs Busia United – Masindi Stadium

Kirinya Jinja S.S Vs Proline – Kirinya S.S Play grounds

Synergy Vs Masaka L.C – Masaka Recreational Stadium

Rwenzori Group:

Kumi United Vs Baza Holdings – Boma grounds, Kumi

Monday, 1st December 2014

Rwenzori Group:

Soroti Garage Vs Baza Holdings – Soroti Play Grounds

FIFA Com-Unity: 1st-3rd Dec at Imperial Royale

FIFA Live Your Goals Football Festival: 4th Dec, 2014 at KCCA Grounds, Kampala

The Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) Community sensitization workshop and live your goals programme is set to run from the 1st – 4th December at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.

The host Federation is organizing the 5 days’ event whose major purpose among others is to raise awareness about women’s football in the country.

“We expect atleast 100 participants including special members of the media” Asuman Lubowa, FUFA’s Technical Director (T.D) confirmed the development.

The campaign will attract national team women players, upcoming players and several football administrators.

“The FIFA Com-Unity sensitization workshop is intended for women footballers, sponsors, NGO’s, Ministry of Education and Sports officials, National Council of Sports and the media”,
Asuman Lubowa told www.fufa.co.ug.

In September 2014, FIFA Development Officer Assistant-Administration and Projects Florie Ramogodi who was in Uganda about the same
programmes.

During her stay in Uganda, Ramogodi met various stakeholders including FUFA President Eng Moses Magogo and Chief Executive Officer Edgar Watson who briefed her on the state of women’s football in the country.

The ceremony will be crowned with the annual Kampala football festival that will take place on the 5th December 2014 at the KCCA stadium in Kampala.

FIFA Development Officer Assistant Florie Ramogodi, FIFA Instructor on Marketing and Communication Emy Casaletti and Namibian national women soccer coach Jacuiq Shipanga (FIFA Instructor)  will jet in on Saturday  for the programmes.

About the FIFA LIVE YOUR GOALS:

The ‘Live Your Goals’ campaign features a number of women’s football’s best players who are living their dreams by having competed in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany and other top international competitions.

The goal of these women and girls was to become a top international footballer.

Achieving this goal has given them the chance to travel all over the world and enjoy many amazing experiences on their way to the top.

But of course, football is for everybody, whatever your goals.

Live Your Goals shows that dreams can come true, no matter what obstacles stand in the way.

FIFA Com – Unity:

Com-Unity is a FIFA Presidential programme, the purpose of which is to improve awareness of the value football can have in a country.

As such, the course is intended to improve cooperation and communication between a member association, its government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in the country, other partners and the media.

Furthermore, the programme distributes knowledge on communication and marketing skills to help member associations attract partners and sponsors.
Format of Com-Unity Courses:
Each Com-Unity course is a four-day programme of working sessions organized by the member association in cooperation with FIFA.
It brings together key representatives from the government, NGOs, media and the national football family, and is intended to be open to the whole community.
Participation and presentations by key individuals from the government, the media, actual and potential partners and other organizations is requested and is a critical component of this course; invitations for these individuals are to be extended by the member associations hosting the course.

Financial arrangements:

FIFA covers the expenses of the instructors and FIFA representatives, course facilities and relevant technical installations, as well as the production and shipment of the course material.

The organising member association is responsible for all local transport, customs, tax expenses and any other residual expenses not covered by FIFA.

Wherever possible, the workshop should be held in FIFA Goal and/or Financial Assistance Programme (FAP)-financed facilities.

MAIN PHOTO: WHEN THE FIFA LIVE YOUR GOALS WAS LAUNCHED:

L-R: FUFA VP Darius Mugoye, National team player Nakasato Rebecca, U-20 team skipper Stella Nasuna Nabukeera Sharifah, National women team coach Majida Nantanda, Crested Crane captain Christine Wanyana and FUFA Technical Director, Asuman Lubowa

PHOTO CREDITS: FUFA Communications Department