FMU elections: Okee, Dipu to square off

The Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) will go to polls in early February 2020 to choose the president his team to run the sport for the next four years. Dusman Okee who defeated Jack Wavamunno by only one vote in 2016 has announced his intention to push for another four-year term.
One of his challengers this time will be former rally driver Dipu Ruparelia. Both candidates shared their vision with SCORE.

I’m no super-star but accountable - FMU President Okee

Okee, the incumbent, is confident he has done a lot for motorsports and deserve another four years to consolidate his achievements and aim for more. He believes FMU is now a public office so much so that he welcomes competition from any Ugandan who thinks he or she can develop the sport.

He, however, thinks one should have been part and parcel of the sport’s recent achievements. He has no kind words for those “who wake up after 20- years and then realise that they need to help the sport.”
Okee says he is no super star but as the accounting officer of the sport it’s his duty to get involved at all level all the time. “I let things run, but can’t sit and see things are not running properly,” Okee who is also the RDC of Pader told SCORE.
“This sport is voluntary, I have other duties to do but I have tried to do my best. My executive has given the best as well but the technical wing has let us down on a number of occasions,” Okee, who is keen on serving as Clerk of the Course (COC) after the next four years, added.

Achievements
-The drivers have increased from 20-30 who were around when we took over nearly four years ago. This has obviously come with an increase in cars that have also raised the level of competition.
-Spread events country wide. This has helped us build fan base and boost the economy.

Different people have benefited economically; from hotels, to people selling food and drinks and not to mention the oil companies that benefit from rally fans burning fuel to follow cars.
-Trained personnel locally and internationally. David Bitalo has benefited as he is on FIA steward program. The entire executive were in Kigali and Kenya for training while a month ago Jeff Kabagambe was in South Africa. Doctors and medical personnel were also trained.
-FMU was voted one the best federations by National Council of Sports (NCS).

-For the first time we managed to get tax exemption on the bikes. Now we have new and modern bikes which has improved the level of competition. The results are there for everyone to see as only last week we retained the MX East African title after beating Kenya in their own back yard.

The Uganda team is now using private plane to travel for continent events unlike in the past when they travelled by bus for day.
Next year we are again hosting the FIM Africa MX Championship. The last time we hosted the event in 2012, we were crowned Africa champions.
-We have partnered with investors to build more circuits.
Our greatest achievement was the introduction of EA Championship.
During the FIA assembly last month, was realised the Africa Rally
Championship (ARC) is slowly dying.

Agenda for next four years
We have convinced the government and President Yoweri Museveni to help and fund the sport from next year and he has agreed. The government will be handling our main stream budget the way they do to Fufa. We are going to do away with grants. This will help us run our programs well.

-The next four year safety is going to be a key issue. With funding from government we are going to buy a safety car (4x4), train safety personnel.
-The federation will take over looking after time and safety marshals to reduce the burden on clubs.
- We are going to make change in the technical (scrutineering) department. Drivers have lost faith in the technical people.
-We have made arrangements for our rally officials to participate in Safari Rally next year.

- Former driver that are not active in the season will join the administration especially in the technical areas.
-We have secured two Karting cars which will be here next year.
Finally Okee said the yellow card for the Pearl Rally should be a reminder for our fans about the safety. He said he is thinking of moving from urban to remote areas.
On the accounts circulating, Okee said it’s only the assembly where he can give the explanation. He wished all those aspiring for the FMU top office of luck but warned no one should use abusive language.

I want only one term, former driver Dipu

While Dusman Okee is seeking re-election for another four-year term, former rally driver Dipu Ruparelia has announced his intention to unseat the incumbent.
Dipu who has nominated Rwabogo Busingye as his running mate wants the drivers to have a bigger say in the way the sport is run.

“The drivers are the biggest stake holders in the sport. Without them there is no sport,” he said. He also wants the term periods to go back to two from four years. Dipu has put on the table his team’s manifesto and this has a lot of the changes for the sport.
1-The constitution has to be reviewed thoroughly to integrate inputs and ideas from all stakeholders.

2-The drivers who are the biggest stakeholders should be given a bigger voice by either asking them to unite and be a block or by asking every club to send five representatives to the electorate; 2-3 of those should be either riders or drivers.
3-Full transparency of accounts.
4-Term periods must revert to two years again. One does not need four years to prove their worth.
5-Sprints should be given back to clubs and not to events management companies. Each club that has a major rally should be given a sprint so that in case they fail to get a sponsor, they can use funds from their sprint to run their rally
6-Woo back sponsors and take sport forward by buying equipment, ambulance among other things

7-Give each department the freedom to run the sport without interference from the president.
8- Dissolve the Sporting Commission as they’re just undermining the work of the Competition Committee.
9-The Executive Committee is the final decision making body. Management’s job is only to implement.
10-The Pearl Rally should be run by clubs hand in hand with federation because it’s a national pride and for everyone

11- Create a marketing team to woo sponsors.
12-Recognize all Stakeholders and acknowledge their contribution to the sport (from drivers, marshals, and media to fans)
13-Train new stewards, clerks of course and other officials

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