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Uganda will qualify for world cup, says Museveni
President Museveni (C) holds the FIFA World Cup Trophy at the State House in Entebbe, on March 5, 2018 as part of the football organisation's world trophy tour. AFP PHOTO
What you need to know:
- This is the second time in nine years that the Federation of International Football Associations World Cup original trophy is in the Uganda.
- The Coca Cola General Manager for East Africa, Mr Ahmed Rady said Uganda was chosen to host the trophy for the second time because of its love for football.
- The trophy is making it’s way across Africa to 11 countries, part of a world tour that sees the trophy presented at 91 cities in 51 countries spread over six continents.
President Museveni is hopeful Uganda will soon qualify for the World Cup finals.
While receiving the 2018 FIFA World Cup trophy at State House Entebbe on Monday, Mr Museveni said Uganda has the potential to win and retain the World cup trophy of 2022 in Qatar.
“Uganda is a footballing country and we hope at one time we shall win this cup and retain it in Uganda,” said Mr Museveni before adding that it will take sometime.
Mr Museveni said this is because other national teams from developed countries train under very scientific and technological advanced situations as compared to Uganda which depends on raw football talent.
He said the coming of the trophy into Uganda for the second time symbolizes the confidence the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has in Uganda.
“This world cup trophy is a rare opportunity for Uganda as not all countries will have the opportunity to host it, this visit is symbolic because FIFA now recognizes our international competitive football abilities,” said Mr Museveni.
According to the president, the trophy will help boost Uganda’s tourism as the world widely follows it through local and the international media.
The Coca Cola General Manager for East Africa, Mr Ahmed Rady said Uganda was chosen to host the trophy for the second time because of its love for football.
“We chose Uganda in particular because of the passion Ugandans have for football. This can be evidenced by the children who have turned the small streets of Kampala into football pitches,” said Mr Rady.
He said the trophy will also be an inspiration for the young people and football players in the cranes that one day they will win the trophy.
Relatedly the president Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), Mr Moses Magogo said the world cup trophy is an inspiration for the young people to actualize President Museveni’s dream of Uganda qualifying for the world cup.
“It is a great opportunity for us to be among the 10 African countries chosen to host this trophy. Like the president said; one day we can go to the world cup and with the trophy here, the young people can use the inspiration to actualize this dream,” said Mr Magogo.
This is the second time in nine years that the Federation of International Football Associations World Cup original trophy is in the Uganda.
Members of the public will on Tuesday March 6, 2018 be given the chance to have a photo moment with this prestigious trophy at Lugogo cricket oval.
