RWANDA AGREES TO HELP
Apr 28, 2006
THE Federation of Rwanda Football Association (FERWAFA) has promised to bring to an end the clandestine exodus of Ugandan players to the Rwanda Primus National Soccer League.
By Fred Kaweesi
THE Federation of Rwanda Football Association (FERWAFA) has promised to bring to an end the clandestine exodus of Ugandan players to the Rwanda Primus National Soccer League.
FERWAFA chief executive officer Jules Kalisa, who admitted in The New Times weekly paper, that there were a number of Ugandan players featuring in the league without International Transfer Certificates, said: “We would like to collaborate with our Ugandan counterparts to solve the problem.â€
Ferwafa’s move follows the April 28 ultimatum to Kigali by FUFA in which Ugandan threatened to seek intervention of the world soccer governing body, FIFA, if their counterparts fail to expel Ugandan players illegally featuring in their league.
“The federation has stepped up investigations to crackdown on the said Ugandan players and other foreigners,†Kalisa added.
The players cited were Godfrey Kateregga, Emmanuel Balyejjusa, Morley Byekwaso, Joseph Kabagambe, Ayub Balyejjusa, Aloysious Lubega, Caesar Sempijja, Zakaria Lubega and Muhammad Atibu among many others.
Kalisa pointed out that Ugandan players have always connived with Rwandan clubs in confusing Ferwafa that they were Rwandese to escape basic documentation like ITCs.
FUFA chief executive officer Charles Masembe said: “The ultimatum ends today (yesterday) and we expect something formal from them. Any positive development from them will be good assurance for us.â€
Ferwafa though felt that FUFA’s threat was a mean gesture.
“Issuing an ultimatum to your neighbours is not the right thing to do. A federation does not possess the powers to issue an ultimatum to another federation. An ultimatum can only be issued by FIFA and CAF, but not local soccer governing bodies,†charged Kalisa.
THE Federation of Rwanda Football Association (FERWAFA) has promised to bring to an end the clandestine exodus of Ugandan players to the Rwanda Primus National Soccer League.
FERWAFA chief executive officer Jules Kalisa, who admitted in The New Times weekly paper, that there were a number of Ugandan players featuring in the league without International Transfer Certificates, said: “We would like to collaborate with our Ugandan counterparts to solve the problem.â€
Ferwafa’s move follows the April 28 ultimatum to Kigali by FUFA in which Ugandan threatened to seek intervention of the world soccer governing body, FIFA, if their counterparts fail to expel Ugandan players illegally featuring in their league.
“The federation has stepped up investigations to crackdown on the said Ugandan players and other foreigners,†Kalisa added.
The players cited were Godfrey Kateregga, Emmanuel Balyejjusa, Morley Byekwaso, Joseph Kabagambe, Ayub Balyejjusa, Aloysious Lubega, Caesar Sempijja, Zakaria Lubega and Muhammad Atibu among many others.
Kalisa pointed out that Ugandan players have always connived with Rwandan clubs in confusing Ferwafa that they were Rwandese to escape basic documentation like ITCs.
FUFA chief executive officer Charles Masembe said: “The ultimatum ends today (yesterday) and we expect something formal from them. Any positive development from them will be good assurance for us.â€
Ferwafa though felt that FUFA’s threat was a mean gesture.
“Issuing an ultimatum to your neighbours is not the right thing to do. A federation does not possess the powers to issue an ultimatum to another federation. An ultimatum can only be issued by FIFA and CAF, but not local soccer governing bodies,†charged Kalisa.