Blind Football Paralympic hopes hang in the balance over funding

Blind Football Uganda chairman Jagwe Muzafaru says the 2026 Blind Football National Championship was a step towards preparing Uganda for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.

The Blind Football Uganda boss said their main aim is to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games through the IBSA Blind Football African Championship Division I, which will be held in Egypt from November 1 to 10.

Uganda was promoted to Division I after winning the 2021 Blind Football African Championships, where they will face stiff opposition from the elite blind football teams.

"Our long-term goal is to build a competitive national team capable of representing Uganda successfully at regional, continental and international tournaments, with qualification for the Paralympic Games as our biggest ambition," Muzafaru said.

The fifth National Blind Football Championship ended on Saturday at the Makerere University rugby pitch, with MUBS winning both the men's and women's titles.

The championship attracted eight men's teams, while two women's teams took part for the first time.

Teams competed in the group stages, semi-finals, third-place playoff, and then the final for men. The ladies played one showcase match.

MUBS beat Strong Spirits 1-0 in the men's final, with Jimmy Innocent scoring the only goal. Innocent finished as the tournament's top scorer with eight goals, while MUBS goalkeeper Wandeka Bruno was named the best goalkeeper.

MUBS also won the women's category, finishing as runners-up in the women's final against KYUVISA Ladies.

The championship also featured USIU-Africa from Kenya, giving Ugandan players an opportunity to compete against an international side.

"Since this is our fifth annual national championship, we decided to invite our friends from Kenya, from the United States International University of Kenya. We want to develop university sports in East Africa. So, it is our aim to develop sports not only in Ugandan universities but also in the regional universities," said Muzafaru.

However, Muzafaru said the championships were not only about winning prizes. Blind Football Uganda has already selected its national team, but the coach lamented the lack of support from the government as Uganda prepares to host the African championship.

The team has the potential to qualify for the international competition, but the challenge is funding.

"The biggest problem we have is funding. The government promised to help us with this tournament and also travel money to Egypt for those who will make it to the finals, but since the budget has been cut, I don't know whether that will happen or not," he said.

Despite the funding problems, Muzafaru said they were still determined to get to Egypt.

"We are trying our best to see whether we can get there, but the players are ready. They have a lot of energy and enthusiasm. We want to challenge Africa and bring the trophy back home," he said.

Uganda will compete against Egypt, Morocco, Mali, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and South Sudan in the African championship.

The national championship also combined sport with health awareness.

Through a partnership with Golden Boots, participants and fans received free HIV testing and counselling, including pre- and post-test counselling, risk-reduction education, and links to care and support.

The teams will next turn their attention to the National Disability Gala in Soroti, which will happen later this month, before focusing on the African championship in Egypt.