In a groundbreaking move for Ugandan football, 40 participants were awarded certificates after completing the first-ever Players’ Performance Tracking and Monitoring Course in the country.
The two-day course, which ran from Tuesday, September 17, to Wednesday, September 18, 2024, took place at MultiTech Business School in Kampala. This initiative represents FUFA’s ongoing efforts to revolutionize the monitoring, evaluation, and overall management of player performance in Uganda’s top-tier football leagues.
The course was facilitated by South African expert Ashley De Beer, a highly regarded specialist in sports technology, who led participants through the ins and outs of utilizing modern tools to track and analyze player performance. Attendees included representatives from the Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League, the StarTimes Uganda Premier League and FUFA staff members.
This training was the first of its kind to be offered in Uganda, and it marks a significant milestone for the development of local football. As the football landscape globally embraces technology, this course represents FUFA’s determination to remain at the forefront of football innovation in Africa as per its vision of being the number one footballing nation on and off the pitch.
By equipping local teams with these tools, FUFA is enabling coaches and team officials to make data-driven decisions in team selection, tactics, and player development.
In his closing remarks at the certification ceremony, Ronnie Kalema, a member of the FUFA Executive Committee, lauded the participants for their commitment and underlined the importance of this initiative:
“This technology will improve the accuracy of the player selection process for the national teams. With real-time data on players’ performances, it’s easier to assess who can make the biggest impact at both the club and national team levels.”
Mr. Kalema also used the occasion to announce that going forward, FUFA coaching courses will integrate modules focused on research and technology trends in football. He stressed that this would be essential in modernizing the way Ugandan coaches approach the game.
One of the highlights of the course was the introduction of Catapult Player Performance Tracking Technology, a state-of-the-art system used by elite clubs and national teams globally to track and monitor players’ physical output and performance metrics. Each men’s team in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League received a 21-player tracking set, while the women’s teams in the Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League were given 18-player sets.
The Catapult technology provides a range of data points that give coaches deep insights into player performance. These include speed, distance covered, intensity of effort, and positioning on the field. With such technology, coaches can make informed decisions regarding player fitness, readiness for matches, and potential injury risks. Additionally, this system will allow for precise comparisons of player output, leading to more objective player evaluations for National Teams selection.
FUFA’s provision of this technology to both men’s and women’s top-tier teams demonstrates the federation’s commitment to gender equality and enhancing women’s football.
The 40 participants, representing various teams across the two leagues, expressed their enthusiasm about the new knowledge and tools at their disposal. With performance tracking technology now part of their resources, teams can adopt a more scientific approach to player development and match preparation. The information gathered from these systems can also be used to create personalized training regimens, optimize recovery periods, and improve team tactics based on data-driven analysis.
For teams in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League and the Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League, this means that every aspect of their players’ fitness and on-field contributions can be closely monitored. This will inevitably lead to better performances and give Ugandan football a competitive edge in regional and international competitions.
Ashley De Beer, the course instructor, commented on the progress made during the two days of intensive training:
“The participants were highly engaged and demonstrated a clear willingness to embrace this new technology. I’m confident that with continued use, they will see significant improvements in the way they manage their teams and monitor player progress.”
This course was just the beginning of FUFA’s broader plan to incorporate technology into every aspect of the game through the FUFA Technical Master Plan. By adding research and technology trends as a module in future coaching courses, FUFA is equipping coaches with the tools and knowledge necessary to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in global football.
The introduction of the Catapult system also strengthens Uganda’s preparations for international competitions. With more precise data on player fitness, output, and potential, FUFA’s national team coaches will have an invaluable resource when it comes to assembling squads for major tournaments. This will increase the national teams’ chances of success and put Uganda in a better position to compete with top footballing nations in Africa and beyond.
