We want to listen, not dictate - Infantino
Support. Fifa president Gianni Infantino and Moses Magogo after a ground breaking ceremony of the Kadiba Ground at Rubaga on Saturday. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA
What you need to know:
Soccer. Infantino, who has promised big changes in the administration of FIFA, says his organisation’s main challenge, especially in Africa, is the development of football.
Kampala.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino wound up his visit to Uganda by reiterating that the world soccer governing body is keen to listen to development projects of countries like Uganda.
Infantino, whose marathon Saturday included sessions with Fufa delegates, football sponsors and club owners, explained that it is in Fifa’s best interests that Ugandan football fulfils its potential.
“Obviously I look after 211 other countries and would probably say this in all other countries,” he noted cheekily before accentuating his point.
“Uganda has nearly everything in place but is short in stadia. With better infrastructure in place, the game would be at a higher level and we believe we can get there.”
Infantino told a press conference on Saturday that Uganda qualified for a development fund from Fifa that will develop the Kadiba project, but added that Fifa was welcome to more ideas on how to grow the game.
“We want to listen to associations, not dictate. Because maybe as Ugandans you understand your core issues on ground better and we are more than willing to listen in on the viability of those ideas.”
Fufa president Moses Magogo said on Saturday that they had requested President Museveni to ensure government takes care of the national team’s welfare, a move which was supported by Infantino.
“If government took care of the national team the Cranes, then Fufa with support from Infantino and Fifa would concentrate their focus and finances of the development side of game.”
Pressed on who his prefered candidate will be at the forthcoming elective Caf assembly where Issa Hayatou is seeking to extend his 29-year grip on the continental governing but faces stuff competition from Madagascar’s Ahmady Ahmady, Infantino steered clear of the topic saying “I’m here to discuss football and not politics”.
Magogo, whose bond with Infantino started long before the Swiss-Italian harboured dreams of vying for world football’s biggest office, said that Fufa would convene an executive meeting before deciding who to vote.
Sources believed Magogo and Infantino are backing Ahmady.
