FUFA Big League in dire straits

Feb 19, 2020

Although topflight sides are entitled to between sh72m-75m every season, Big League sides get sh10m every season but this season they have not yet received any money.

When StarTimes took over the broadcast and naming rights of the Uganda Premier League and FUFA Big League, in a $7.24m (sh26,680,848,000) deal for the next ten years, many thought it was a big deal for Ugandan football.

However the deal is not as rosy as it sounds for clubs especially those competing in the FUFA Big League.

Although topflight sides are entitled to between sh72m-75m every season, Big League sides get sh10m every season, but this season they have not yet received any money.

This has led to big financial challenges among these teams when it comes to the long distances they travel during the course of the league and to support the team.

When New Vision contacted a club official who did not want to reveal his identity, he stated that sponsorship needed to be revised.

"Last season we received sh9m but we are not sure if that was the amount we were supposed to get since FUFA has not given us the allocations on how much every club is supposed to receive.

"For starters, this money is not enough if you to look after the team, transport them for matches, pay their allowances and monthly salaries. So, in the end, we end up
looking for well-wishers and our fans to give us a hand in this," he stated.

Another club official was not aware that they are entitled to cash from StarTimes.

"We just hear these things in the media that StarTimes is supposed to give some money for sponsorship. FUFA has never come out to tell us their stand on this since they run the league. So I can't comment much about that," he noted.

FUFA's take But FUFA Communications manager Hussein Ahmed revealed that the StarTimes deal was just a starting point and more sponsors are yet to come.
"Sh10m may be little to sustain a team but its starting point and we believe more is yet to come. This money is increased every season," he revealed.

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