First Family affected as Fuba fall victim to NCS budget cuts
On The Rise. The U-16 national team comprises of First Family children; Karugire Mugina Tibuhaburwa, Rwabogo Mumutiine Rubanza and Rwabogo Kendagano. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA
KAMPALA. Fuba will for the first time send a boys and girls’ team to the Fiba Africa U-16 Nations Championship Qualifiers that start next week in Kigali, Rwanda.
In terms of national team engagements, that is the only activity that could take place if the federation and government don’t come up with a quick fix with imminent international events for senior men and women teams also coming up. “Hopefully somebody from NCS will respond to us.
Apart from sending the U-16 teams to Rwanda, we’re also hosting the Afro Chan for the boys on June 26 and regional Afro Basket qualifiers for Gazelles,” national team committee manager Mohamed Santur.
According to Santur, Fuba were given Shs110m rather than Shs250m expected from the final quarter of the 2018/2019 financial year.
“Time is not on our side and with Shs110m the mathematics is not right. The girls are in camp and the boys are not because that is what we can manage. Hopefully the government will hear and answer our call. It’s not a complaint but it’s a fact,” he added.
The press conference held at UOC offices in Lugogo yesterday also saw coaches Ronald Mutebi and Roger Sserunyigo announce their rosters that included three players from the first family.
NCS Acting General Secretary Dr. Patrick Bernard Ogwel painted an even grimmer picture for not only Fuba but all national sports associations with activities in the short run. “If you’re conversant with government there are usually budget cuts in every government department,” Ogwel responded when sought for a comment.
“Also Fufa funding became a priority to government and it affected the cash flow of all NCS activities,” added Ogwel with football’s domestic governing body Fufa having been offered shs10b, a shs6b increase earlier budgeted.
