More fans expected to cheer Cranes in Gabon

The Uganda Cranes are now assured of a stronger fan base in Gabon after another SMS and Mobile Money drive from which fans will win tickets to the Africa Cup of Nations was launched in Kampala.

The latest drive ‘Fans Tulumbe Gabon' initiated by the Kampala Region Football Associations in conjunction with FUFA, SMS-One and Lipa Mobile aims at airlifting up to 1000 fans to Gabon to watch all the Cranes' group stage games against Ghana, Mali and Egypt.

Dialing *270*900# enters each fan into the draw from which lucky winners will be picked to enjoy the all-expenses paid trip, that includes an Air ticket to Gabon, tickets to the matches accommodation and Insurance.

"We are the 12th man and we have done a lot in ensuring the Cranes qualify to AFCON after 38 years so we didn't want to be left out; the reason we have come up with this idea. We are aware there are other campaigns by Airtel, Ecobank and Nile but we felt there was need to boost the numbers to ensure our presence is felt in Gabon," Peter Nkugwa, the vice chairperson competitions, KRFA told a press conference at Pope Paul Hotel.

James Musasizi of Lipa Mobile said that only MTN and Airtel platforms will be used for the drive ahead of the various draws that will be held starting January 6-14. He said $2500 (sh8m) is budgeted for each travelling fan.

Sports commissioner Omara Apita who launched the drive assured the organisers of total support from the ministry regarding group bookings, visa and hotel acquisition in Gabon. He later presented them some of the contacts in Gabon that could be of help to them, having been part of the advance team that attended the draws.

"Government at the moment is concentrating on the core responsibility of supporting the team to ensure they perform very well and I would like to encourage the fans to use the other different initiatives to ensure they travel to Gabon to support the team; we are going to ensure they get the cheapest rates," Omara stated.