KCCA, Proline welcome ‘timely boost’ from Fufa

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The two clubs earlier approached NCS for help on the continent recently, to which the sports body verbally promised to assist whenever funds are available. For now, Fufa say they are taking advantage of increased government funding for the Cranes to chip in with support such as this.

Uganda’s continental representatives KCCA and Proline might have 99 problems but air tickets to wherever the next game will take them not part of them.
Accommodation, meals, technical staff allowances and bonuses among others will still provide the two clubs with significant financial burden but they, nonetheless, will sigh with relief after the local governing body, Fufa, announced yesterday it would take care of transport expenses for the Ugandan champions and Uganda Cup winners respectively.
“It’s a very timely boost for the clubs,” KCCA chairman Aggrey Ashaba told Daily Monitor yesterday, “As you’re aware, no club in Uganda and probably the region breaks even as a business. Offsetting this improves our bottom line and allows us to work towards black numbers.
“After we cross the borders, we represent the country and Fufa understands this very well since continental football is an extension of the overall brand of the game.

Growth trajectory
“I’m glad that Fufa and KCCA FC share the same vision on the growth trajectory of Ugandan football. We thank them for this gesture and hope to repay the faith.”
KCCA start their 2019/20 Caf Champions League campaign away to Namibia against African Stars on the weekend of August 9-11, while continental debutants Proline host Masters Security Services of Malawi before traveling to Blantyre a fortnight later.
“Although we have not heard from Fufa officially yet, this is welcome relief and we are thankful,” Proline director Mujib Kasule told this newspaper.
“This reduces the burden on our budget but it is by no means all. We still have to juggle accommodation, meals, allowances and referees accommodation but this helps a lot.”

Money comparisons
Depending on where a team is traveling, an air ticket can range from $450 (Shs1.6m) to $1,200 (Shs4.3m). KCCA returns show that the team were charged $450 and $1,200 to Egypt and Tunisia respectively for their continental engagements.

In all this, however; the question that lingers after Fufa announced an executive declaration that they “shall assume the expenses of travel by plane in economical class of the participating team for a maximum of 25 persons (18 players and seven officials), from Entebbe to the Airport of the host country within the provisions of the relevant Competition Regulations,” is where this money is coming from.
“Fufa has made strides as a result of increased Government funding for the Uganda Cranes activties,” explained Fufa finance director Kiiza Decolas, “We now have resources for other football activties and stakeholders to develop the game of football in Uganda.”

Fufa are beneficiaries of a ring-fenced annual Shs10b from government through National Council of Sports (NCS).
This is on top of other sponsorships and partnerships with Airtel, Bidco, Nile Special, NIC and Stanbic Bank among others. The federation spokesperson, Ahmed Hussein, confirmed to this newspaper this support will last for as long as KCCA and Proline remain in the competitions, and the program that will carry on.

Here to stay
“It’s for the entire competition(s) and it’s not a one off,” he said.
If, say, KCCA went all the way to the final, and assuming we take an average of $500 (Shs1.8m) per air ticket for 25-member contingent, that would be $100,000 (Shs365m) over eight away matches.
Fufa’s commitment to Uganda’s representatives does not, however, exonerate the two clubs from depositing the $10,000 (Shs37m) mandatory but refundable fee the FA asks of any participating club as security.
“Yes because they still have to pay for match officials accommodation for the period they stay in the tournament,” said Hussein.

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