MPs come good on Cranes’ pledge
Apr 21, 2009
PARLIAMENT has kept its promise and given the national football federation a sh30.3m reward for winning the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in January.
By Norman Katende
PARLIAMENT has kept its promise and given the national football federation a sh30.3m reward for winning the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in January.
Parliament’s deputy speaker Rebecca Kadaga handed over the money to the soccer federation Chief Executive Officer Edgar Watson yesterday.
The money was raised from all parliamentarians after a resolution appreciating The Cranes for winning the regional title. The motion which was moved by Denis Hamson Obua (Youth, North) and seconded by Hon Okupa Elijah (Kasilo County), also called for an increase of the sports budget. It asked MPs to contribute sh0.1m each.
“It shows that the public is now interested in sports. Part of the money will be used in implementing the federation’s four-year development plan, while the rest will go towards developing and motivating the team,†said Watson after receiving the money.
Parliament in February honoured the Cranes for the win by inviting them to the house.
National coach Bobby Williamson is set to return from Scotland next week from a short holiday. His first assignment will be to select a team to prepare for the 2012 Olympic qualifiers.
FUFA vice-president Asuman Lubowa yesterday said that Williamson will be expected to watch the COPA Coca-Cola championships that starts next week in Fort Portal, and identify national team material to play in the Olympic qualifying tournament in two years’ time.
“The time to do that is now. We have to concentrate on getting the talent and start training them to work as a unit. It is only through this that we will get the true combination,†said Lubowa yesterday.
He said that the technical committee will ask the federation to avail funds so that the selected side is developed into national team material. “If we do not do it now, the only option left will be to shop from the league,†he said.
PARLIAMENT has kept its promise and given the national football federation a sh30.3m reward for winning the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in January.
Parliament’s deputy speaker Rebecca Kadaga handed over the money to the soccer federation Chief Executive Officer Edgar Watson yesterday.
The money was raised from all parliamentarians after a resolution appreciating The Cranes for winning the regional title. The motion which was moved by Denis Hamson Obua (Youth, North) and seconded by Hon Okupa Elijah (Kasilo County), also called for an increase of the sports budget. It asked MPs to contribute sh0.1m each.
“It shows that the public is now interested in sports. Part of the money will be used in implementing the federation’s four-year development plan, while the rest will go towards developing and motivating the team,†said Watson after receiving the money.
Parliament in February honoured the Cranes for the win by inviting them to the house.
FUFA vice-president Asuman Lubowa yesterday said that Williamson will be expected to watch the COPA Coca-Cola championships that starts next week in Fort Portal, and identify national team material to play in the Olympic qualifying tournament in two years’ time.
“The time to do that is now. We have to concentrate on getting the talent and start training them to work as a unit. It is only through this that we will get the true combination,†said Lubowa yesterday.
He said that the technical committee will ask the federation to avail funds so that the selected side is developed into national team material. “If we do not do it now, the only option left will be to shop from the league,†he said.