Stanbic to reward fans during the FUBA play-offs

Basketball fans will have a lot to look out for as this year’s FUBA playoffs tip off at the Lugogo Arena on Friday with a game between the JT Jaguars and Magic Stormers, and between the City Oilers and Kampala Rockets in the men’s division.

Apart from the action, the playoffs sponsors Stanbic Bank through their Flexipay app have ensured fans will not be left out as they have staked a sh1m half court play-of-the week challenge whose amount will increase every week in case of no one winning it, among others goodies.

This was revealed by the bank’s marketing manager Isaac Ajiji who was flanked by FUBA CEO Marcus Kwikiriza, FUBA vice president-administration Hudson Ssegamwenge, Flashbox Agency’s Flavia Oketcho and Fairway Hote’s Daniella Kabahamba during a press conference at Fairway Hotel on Thursday.

“We have a tradition of fostering and developing sports in the country and that is why we are here. By sponsoring basketball, we acknowledge the growing game among the youth who constitute about 70 percent of our population and we are proud to be part of FUBA in this endeavor,” Ajiji said.

Stanbic bank marketing manager Isaac Ajiji (left) addresses the press flanked by FUBA CEO Marcus Kwikiriza at Fairway Hotel, September 14, 2023. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“We believe that basketball has the ability to captivate young minds, foster teamwork, discipline among the teams and as the game grows we know that the competition has won many hearts among the fans, so we are delighted to be here to extend our support to the federation and we look forward to an epic end to the season,” Ajiji stated.

Goodies up for grabs

Flashbox Agency’s Flavia Oketcho said the playoffs will not be short of excitement because through the partnership with Stanbic Bank’s Flexipay app everything is going to be possible for the fans.

“It is going to be very exciting because we have so many gifts for the fans, so many challenges about the game, with the winners going away with goodies like power banks, basketballs, headsets and some cash.

Flavia Oketcho addresses the press at Fairway Hotel, September 14, 2023. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“There is also a lot for the standout players in each game and it is something that we are looking forward to; so it is up to the fans to seize the opportunity because we are going to make them happy,” Oketcho stated.

She said fans will only pay through the Flexipay app or by dialing *291# to access the playoffs games meaning they will access the games at a discount of sh2000/- and only pay sh8000/- through the early-bird tickets. Those who want to pay at the gates will part with sh12,000/-

She said they decided to go cashless to be able to manage the numbers and avoid last year’s situation in Game 7 where fans spilled over to the court.

“Last year, some people paid via Flexipay and others at the gate and what happened was that those who paid at the gate accessed the venue earlier and by the time the rest who paid through the app came there was no space because there was a double sale of the tickets, so with the app we will be able to manage the numbers as per the capacity of the venue,” Oketcho explained.

Fees for the games set

Additionally, according to the FUBA vice president-administration Hudson Ssegamwenge the tickets for the quarter and semifinals will go for sh8000/- and sh12,000/- through the app and at the gate respectively.

For the finals, the fans will part with a uniform sh20,000/- whether paid through the app or otherwise according to him. He said they were trying to avoid last year’s fans spill-over, and that this time FUBA will provide viewing options on large screens in case it was to happen again.

FUBA vice president-administration Hudson Ssegamwenge, September 14, 2023. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Kwikiriza congratulated the teams that made it to the post-season before he announced that the games will be played on Wednesdays, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Lugogo Arena, apart from the Saturday ones that will be held at the YMCA court.

 “I thank our partners Stanbic Bank for the partnership, our new hospitality partners Fairway Hotel who will continue their partnership with the federation beyond the playoffs for; FUBA’s get-togethers, tournament pre-press conferences and meetings among other services,” Kwikiriza said.

He also welcomed activation partners Energy Radio and Flashbox Agency who are going to ensure the games live up to the hype.

The teams in the play-offs include the defending champions UCU Lady Canons, A-1 Challenge, Miracle Ravens, Magic Stormers, KCCA Leopards, JT Lady Jaguars, KIU Rangers and the JKL Lady Dolphins from the women's division.

The men’s teams include Our Saviour, UCU Canons, Kampala Rockets, Ndejje University Angels, KCCA Panthers, DMARK Power, KIU Titans, and the defending champions City Oilers.