Exclusive Interview: Football is now a billion-dollar business

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The FIFA Club World Cup – the most lucrative tournament in history – is in its final week.

With the highest appearance fees at $38.19m (sh137b), a win rated at $2m (sh7b), a draw at $1m (sh3.6b), the team with the most wins in the seven matches including the final will bank more cash, with a maximum of $125m (sh448b).

A lot of money has been at stake, money that can transform a football club, and potentially reshape its financial status.

The tournament reemphasizes football as a business. A business with the potential to annually generate billions of dollars in revenue.

Former SC Villa and Uganda National Team, Cranes midfielder/defender, Arthur Byasiima. (Courtesy photo)

In an exclusive interview with Vision Sports’ Head of Sports Fred Kaweesi, Arthur Byasiima, a former SC Villa and Uganda National Team, Cranes midfielder/defender, shares his thoughts on what needs to be done to elevate Ugandan football to billion-dollar standards.

Question: As a person with a strong football background and former footballer yourself, how excited have you been watching the FIFA Club World Cup here?

Answer: Super excited. Each and every game has been very entertaining so far.

Question: You have had the opportunity of watching all the 32 clubs representing the different brands of football from the different continents? What has been your observation?

Answer: There is so much in terms of tactical display. There are no longer small teams participating in the Club World Cup, a statement underlined by the Al Hilal vs Man City game. All teams are well organised, and any team could win the tournament.

Question: Were you proud of Africa’s representatives (Sundowns, Esperance, Al Ahly and Wydad) in the tournament?

Arthur Byasiima has served in different capacities with the Tennessee Soccer Club, both as a coach and member, Board of Directors. You also served on the MLS to Nashville committee advocating for the MLS franchise approval for Nashville SC. (Courtesy photo)

Answer: Definitely, African teams have come a long way. They continue to impress, but there is more investment needed to close the gap with the rest of the world.

Question: We had Denis Onyango here with the Sundowns team. He joined SC Villa in 2004, five years after you had left the club for better opportunities here in the US. What does his impressive story tell you about him and the talent in Uganda?

Answer: Onyango’s impressive story underlines the tenets of discipline, perseverance, and determination. These are all ingredients for success at the highest level.

Question: Do you still follow local football? Are you aware that Hajji Omar Mandela bounced back at Villa and is trying to get the club back to the golden years that produced most of you?

Answer: Yes. I’ve followed Hajji Omar Mandela since the very first day I met him, and I keep close tabs. He’s one of a kind. The Ugandan Football community is lucky to have Hajji, a guy with a wealth of knowledge both in terms of football and business.

Question: What do you do here?

Answer: I ventured into financial services to earn a living. I’m currently with Huntington National Bank as a Senior Vice President & Director, Sponsor and Leveraged Finance Group.

Question: Basing on your 26-year experience living in the USA, widely considered as one of the biggest sports countries in the world, what should we do different to improve the standards of sports generally in the country?

Answer: Identify, invest, nurture and develop talent at a very early age. Understanding that talent alone is not enough, recognise that it needs a lot of unwavering support and ambition to succeed.

Question: The sports market in America has a market value that is estimated to be worth $114.4 billion in direct spending and a total economic impact of $114.4 billion, supporting 664,860 jobs. How can Uganda tap into the American sports industry?

Answer: Collaboration via education should be the first step as it opens up doors. The ultimate benefits of that will be exponential.

Question: You have two talented boys representing one of the best football academies in the USA (Nashville SC) and Duke University, a top academic institution. You must be a proud father?

Answer: As parents, we strive to equip our kids with the appropriate tools that can foster their development and prepare them for the future.

Adrian Byasiima, Arthur Byasiima's son who plays football for Duke University. (Courtesy photo)

Question: How can that parent in Uganda succeed to getting their passionate and talented son into one of the football academies here?

Answer: Start early, understanding that talent alone is not enough, commitment to discipline, academics, and the entire support system needs to be developed.

Question: You served in different capacities with the Tennessee Soccer Club, both as a coach and member, Board of Directors. You also served on the MLS to Nashville committee advocating for the MLS franchise approval for Nashville SC. What lessons should the youth football programs in Uganda pick from the academy projects here?

Answer: Strong structures drive excellence. There are no short cuts to achieving success.

Question: I notice almost every locality in the US owns a stadium. Is this something we can achieve in Uganda?

Answer: Absolutely, once our communities realize the benefits of sports, investor collaboration with the government will follow with the much-needed support.

Question: Your former Cranes teammate Ibrahim Sekagya has grown in leaps and bounds at New York Red Bulls. He is the current assistant coach at the club. What a milestone! Did you see this in him back in your days?

Answer: What a feat! Ibra has been impressive. His discipline and commitment have been consistent since the very early days. No surprise he has ascended to the top echelons of the game.

Question: What does Sekagya’s impressive rise at Red Bulls mean for him and Ugandan football?

Answer: As a person, I’m sure he’s hyper-focused on what’s ahead of him and as always, we all continue to wish him the best. As for Ugandan football, if the federation has not been in regular consultations with him already, Uganda is missing out big time.

Question: Should we expect you back home, contributing to the game in whichever way possible?

Answer: Definitely, I keep in regular contact with Ugandan football and will always contribute ideas for as long as they’re relevant.