USRA being ripped by 'infighting and mismanagment

Dec 03, 2014

All is not well in Uganda Squash Rackets Associations. Apart from going two years without a competition, there is also infighting. USRA secretary Robert Mpagi quit two months into his term because of such tensions, sources reveal.

By James Bakama

All is not well in Uganda Squash Rackets Associations. Apart from going two years without a competition, there is also infighting. USRA secretary Robert Mpagi quit two months into his term because of such tensions, sources reveal.


“He realised conditions were not conducive and decided to resign. Don’t be surprised if even more people walk away,” revealed the source.

Those against the status quo in what was once one of Uganda’s most organised bodies, say the infighting is the reason USRA’s elective assembly has delayed for four months.

They say USRA boss John Bosco Tamwesigire can’t dare face the electorate with all that is happening. Tamwesigire’s leadership is also on the fi ring line for failing to organise competitions.

“If local programs are supposed to be a measure activity, then, I must say USRA’s is almost none existent. We have not had any competition in two years,” complained a player, who begged for anonymity for fear of being victimised by what he described as a high-handed leadership.

“Even companies that used to sponsor us are wondering why the association stopped approaching them,” added the player. Matters have not been helped by USRA’s failure to fulfill its obligation of collecting subscription fees.

The lack of activity has had top seeds Michael Kawooya, Paul Kadoma and Ian Rukunya making up with a series of competitions on the international circuit. But even as the trio globe trots, there is also discontent among the elite players.

Tamwesigire is accused of favouritism. A case in point is fourth seed Brian Okumu, who is being side lined because of what USRA describes as indiscipline.

The complainants say, Tamwesigire to the contrary, continues siding with another star, Kawooya whose behaviour, members say, is even more questionable than Okumu’s. Team selection for the just concluded Glasgow Commonwealth Games also left many dissatisfied.

USRA’s failure to send a second doubles team is said to have greatly affected the squash team’s performance.

When contacted, Tamwesigire dismissed the accusations as unfounded.

“What infighting are you talking about? I am in charge. I am not aware of any fighting,” he insisted. He said secretary Mpagi resigned because he would not be available.

Tamwesigire says those firing at his leadership are unscrupulous senior members of the association.

“They were using USRA to extort money from sponsors under the guise of organizing competitions. When we came in we blocked them so they are disgruntled.”

He concedes that it has been quite a while since there was a competition. But he attributes this to financial strains in previous sponsors like Bank of Uganda and Uganda Breweries.

Tamwesigire said they have as a result changed approach and now concentrate on international competition for the top seeds.

“If I fundraise $3000 it makes more sense to put that money on a trip say to Russia. Compare that to a local competition of mainly 45 plus year-old players.”

Collecting subscription

He counters that he has not failed to collect subscription. “People are just not willing to pay. Get those people who are making noise and ask them to pay. You won’t get even a coin.”

He says his executive has done much more than just collecting subscription.

“The money we have fundraised for international competition in just one year is much more than what several years of subscriptions would bring.”

Tamwesigire stresses he has no problem with Okumu. “He is a very good player. I actually believe in him.

“But the problem he has over commercialised his game. He spends more time earning money as a training partner. He can no longer play very competitively.”

Glasgow


On the Glasgow trip, he explains that he was the biggest advocate for a team of at least five people. But Uganda Olympic Committee insisted that the team had to be trimmed because of limited finances.

He says as a result they had to send only Kawooya, Rukunya and Kadoma and a coach thereby missing a second double.

Tamwesigire however concedes that his top players have a discipline problem. “With the gross indiscipline of the team, there was no way they were going to travel minus a coach.”

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