Soccer
Fufa vs USL: Final verdict in fortnight
SC Villa midfielder Steven Bengo goes airborne to control the ball during a Bell Super League fixture against Victors at Wankulukuku in 2011. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO
Posted Friday, February 1 2013 at 02:00
In Summary
Soccer. Education Ministry to deliberate Permanent Secretary Lubanga’s findings next Tuesday before forwarding recommendations to Cabinet for final ruling.
That it is February 1 today means January 31 is long gone. And that Uganda Super League (USL) and Fufa-backed Super League (FSL) are still in full effect means both have outlived the set deadline for one league.
But not for long as Education and Sports Minister Jessica Alupo insists one league is all that must come out of Permanent Secretary Francis Lubanga’s findings after over a month mediating between Fufa and USL.
Alupo’s set directive of the FSL and USL to have come up with one league by yesterday ended with both still at large but progress, says the minister, has been and is being made.
After deliberating with her ministry officials yesterday, Alupo said she has been impressed by the cooperation exhibited by both Fufa and USL in their submissions despite the divergent views, and that a solution is on the way, with another important headway expected next Tuesday.
Bright future
“We shall deliberate the PS’ report as a ministry next Tuesday when he makes his presentation,” Alupo told Daily Monitor yesterday.
“Then as a ministry we shall, probably next Wednesday, take the report to the Prime Minister, who is aware of all that is happening, for consultation before we deliver it to cabinet for government’s final verdict.”
Alupo added: “To the cabinet we shall give our recommendations and prayer to which we shall invite Fufa and USL to be present for government’s final decision.
“And people should not worry, cabinet will make a slot for us, probably at the Wednesday sitting the week after next (Feb. 13). They have been eagerly waiting for this report just like any other Ugandan.”
Alupo, on December 13, 2012, met Fufa, the USL, sponsors Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) and SuperSport in an effort to redirect the country’s worrying football trend that has seen two topflight leagues all claiming validity.
Besides having one league, the minister made it clear that any competition that is agreed upon must have sponsors, and that the existing sponsors, UBL and SuperSport should not be lost.
amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com
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