Who exactly are you; KCCA FC or KCC FC?

KAMPALA- On July 26, 2011, an official communication signed by then club spokesperson Aldrine Nsubuga comes through.

According to the communique, one of Uganda’s traditional and oldest clubs was no longer Kampala City Council Football Club (KCC FC). It had now become Kampala Capital City Football Club (KCC FC).

Note that the only word changing in KCC FC is ‘Council,’ replaced by ‘Capital,’ and rather than it coming last in the acronym, ‘City’ now comes after ‘Kampala.’
All this is part of Kampala Capital City Authority’s (KCCA) rebranding from Kampala City Council (KCC).

The Authority owns and finances the club and since that rebranding, there has been marked improvement in the players’ welfare. Just last week, the club finally got an official bus thanks to KCCA.

On that front, in addition to a refurbished stadium, there is no questioning the revitalised commitment of the Authority regarding bettering the club. The confusion, however, which one could argue amounts to an identity crisis, remains their naming.

That official communication from the club in 2011 was clear that even if ‘Capital’ was introduced in place of ‘Council, the acronym remained KCC FC.

But misunderstanding has remained with some club officials insisting the club is called Kampala Capital City Authority Football Club (KCCA FC).

‘KCCA FC’ has been used in some of the club’s official communications and the media have also picked up on it.
Word is that officials on the football side do not want to contradict themselves on the club’s name since the authority stands to gain politically if the name KCCA is passed on as the official one.

Different media refer to the club differently but with each at one point or another mixing the two. Not even the officials have helped, and depending on who you speak to, you will have both KCC FC and KCCA FC in your face.

Yet, while it is KCCA FC that is reflected in the Fufa Super League, it is Kampala City Council Football Club (KCC FA) that remains registered with continental body Caf.

KCCA, the Authority, already has enough mileage on the club’s shirt – if that is what they want. But rather than insist on the club being called what their communication said in 2011, they are okay it being called.
The point I’m belaboring here is that is only fair to KCC fans, the club, media and all who care that the Authority (or KCCA FC/KCC FC) officially lets the country know of their true name once and for all. So, is it KCC FC or KCCA FC?

IT’S IN FUFA’S INTEREST TO HASTEN STAKEHOLDERS MEET

Even before the new sports regulations under the 1964 Act were officially launched by Education and Sports Minister Jessica Alupo on Monday, the contentious clause was as clear as the party it affected.

Article 4 (4) of the new regulations means Fufa cannot register as an association for as long as they still have what they insist is their legal arm - Fufa Limited.
It states: “The council (National Council of Sports, NCS) shall not register a national association which is incorporated as a company.”

Fufa’s immediate response was that “Fufa as a law abiding body will internalise the received new regulations through consultation with the members,” before they decide whether to comply or try implore an amendment of the clause they say is not up to modern times.

While Fufa say they need their legal arm to do business for the association, the new regulations suggest they can still do business through trustees, just like all other national associations.

The background story is government chose to give Fufa and the Uganda Super League (USL) chance to reorganise and consult all stakeholders and then come up with an all-inclusive national sports association before registering with NCS.

While Fufa are leaving options open, it is understood that through behind-the-scene talks encouraged by State Minister for Sports Charles Bakkabulindi have suggested that the two warring groups sort their mess and register afresh. I also understand that the Kavuma Kabenge group agreed that Moses Magogo takes lead and convene that stake holders meet.

All associations have six months from April 4 to have registered with NCS as the legal ones but should the football family fail to clean up soonest and the stand-off continues, the ministry is determined to reign in with an interim committee which was approved by cabinet last year to oversee Fufa’s normalisation.
So while Fufa keep cards close to their chest, it is in their best interest to meet up with stakeholders sooner rather than later.

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