By Ian Asabo
Uganda Christian University (UCU) has hosted the FIFA-FUFA league development project launch at the university main campus.
The FIFA-FUFA League Development project is one that is being implemented to ensure the proper growth of the women’s game in the country. This is achieved through the promotion of governance, business and sport as the main values.
According to the FUFA president, Hon. Eng. Moses Hassim Magogo, the implementation of such projects has been part of the plan and vision of the federation to improve all aspects of the women’s game in the country.
“Our vision as a federation is to have Uganda as the number one country on and off the pitch, and this project is a massive step towards accomplishing that,” he says.
He also acknowledges that the commitment to women’s football is already bearing fruit in terms of the national team qualifying for the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations due to be held in Morroco later this year.
“Our commitment to the women’s game has already produced rewards with the national team qualifying for only their second continental tournament. This is a sign that we should continue supporting the game to grow,” he continues.
He also praised the university management for supporting the women’s game with incredible facilities and possessing one of the best teams in the country.
One of the commitments to the game is to show all games of the FUFA Women’s Super League on the newly created FUFA television, on top of the 42 million Uganda shillings (12,000 USD) that were provided to every top-tier club during the pandemic.
A FIFA Women’s football expert says that the world’s governing body has a detailed plan to develop women’s football and projects like this one are here to fulfill that target, spreading across the member associations.
“The FIFA league development project comes with direct support towards the women’s football clubs, including financial assistance, equipment and capacity building,” she said.
The University received jerseys, balls, and other necessary sporting equipment, the sports equipments were received by the Lady Cardinals patron and sports administrator, Samuel David Lukaire.
“We are thankful to FUFA and FIFA for the launching of this project. The university is committed to promoting the women’s game and our team contains some players that represent the country and will play at the AFWCON tournament in July,” said Lukaire.
Lady Cardinals team captain and all-time women’s top scorer, Hasifah Nassuna, praised the efforts that the federation is trying to make to promote women’s football in the country and insists that more is to come from the women in the game.
She says, “The women’s game in the country is growing with each passing season and we are proud to be at this stage of its development. The federation is doing its best and the best is yet to come from women’s football.”
The day’s festivities ended with a match where the Lady Cardinals lost 1-0 to Olila High School in the FUFA Women’s Super League.
The occasion was graced by FUFA president, Hon. Eng. Moses Hassim Magogo, FIFA Women’s football expert, Violet Jubane, and UWFA chairperson, Margaret Kubingi, who held a press conference held at the conference hall in the university library.
