Local beach soccer rocked by conflicts

BEACH SOCCER

Conflicts have hit the national beach soccer league.

With just a few games played, different clubs, including defending champions Isabeti, have not been given assurance of featuring in the league despite fulfilling all the requirements needed to be licensed.

YMCA, Mengo and Kyadondo Galacticals are sides that have not been cleared to play in this year's league.

It is reported that Isabeti, YMCA, Kyadondo Galacticals, Nkumba and Talented requested the organisers to have their league games played at Lido Beach in Entebbe rather than at Mutoola Resort Beach in Ntenjeru, Mukono.

The argument is that playing as far as Mukono is a financial stretch for the said teams.

"The organisers of the league are being unfair to us yet we invest a lot money in developing the sport," a source who asked not to be named told New Vision.

"There is no big deal as to why some of the teams are not included in the fixtures. This is just politics within the people handling beach soccer."

'The law is clear'

The Uganda national beach soccer chairman, Deo Mutabazi, responded by putting the record straight.

"For Isabeti's case, I think they just don't want to feature in the league," he said.

"First, as a club, you can't dictate where to play from.

"Secondly,  they had been included in the opening fixtures of the league but when we discovered that they were not honoring their matches, the league committee decided to withdraw them," Mutabazi explained.

"When they meet the required requirements to play in the league, they will have to appeal to be included. The law is very clear: a minimum of five teams can play in the league."

Meanwhile, the league resumes this Sunday, with different games on card at Lido beach, Entebbe.

SUNDAY FIXTURES

Men

Bishop Stuart v Buganda
Talented v Nkumba
Mutoola v MUBS
Entebbe v Bishop Stuart
KIU v St Lawrence

Women

Katuuso v Uganda Martyrs
Buganda v Alphoenix
Talented v Muteesa