Fufa Drum back with revised format
Fufa president Magogo believes sponsors can leverage mileage from having Fufa Drum knockout games at one venue. PHOTO BY JOHN BATANUDDE
KAMPALA- The first edition of the Fufa Drum province-based tourney yielded a couple of milestones and a few mishaps upon its completion in October. The organizers yesterday revealed some necessary drastic changes as they unveiled the second edition at Jevine Hotel, Rubaga in Kampala geared towards achieving the tourney theme – celebrating our ancestry.
Henceforth, after the first group stages, the provincial teams will be grouped to play at one venue for the quarter finals until the finals as opposed to the last edition that had home and away legs up to the finals.
In another novelty, the injury scare to players while on Fufa Drum duty has been catered for with an insurance package.
“This edition we return bigger and better with player insurance well catered for by the National Insurance Corporation (NIC). For the short comings, I beg we review together and ensure a successful tourney for the successful tournament in year two,” Rogers Byamukama, the tourney chairperson, revealed.
The draws conducted for the group stages pitted giants Kampala and Busoga in Group A that also has Tooro and Rwenzori.
Reigning champions Buganda were drawn with Ankole, Lango and minnows Sebei in what is expected to be a three horse race for progression out of Group B. Finalists West Nile, Acholi, Bunyoro and Karamoja are also expected to have an interesting jostle for slots in Group C. Bukedi, last campaign’s dark horses, are expected to dominated Group D that comprises of Bugishu, Teso and Kigezi. There were concerns over the delay remitting of the Shs100m prize money for the winners but Byamukama gave an assurance that they will be paid before the tourney kick off date – March 29.
“I must admit we had challenges in the first edition, but we shall only get better. We have a new format in place. This is meant to help give sponsors mileage. This tournament causes a lot of emotions and this is good for the event,” Fufa President Moses Magogo revealed.
