Namboole releases strategies to control crowd trouble
Sep 29, 2011
NAMBOOLE stadium management has, in a bid to ensure crowd safety in the Uganda versus Kenya match, put in place several controls.
By James Bakama
NAMBOOLE stadium management has, in a bid to ensure crowd safety in the Uganda versus Kenya match, put in place several controls.
This follows the last African Cup of Nations game at the same venue where up to 20000 people more than the stadium’s capacity of 42,202 got into the facility almost causing a disaster.
In a release issued yesterday, Namboole board chairman Jim Mugunga also explained that the measures follow FUFA’s failure to respond to several invitations to attend meetings pertaining to crowd safety.
Mugunga stressed that the stadium will on October 8 strictly accommodate its official capacity. Apart from accredited photographers and radio presenters in the press box, everyone in the stadium will be seated.
Namboole has also taken charge of security that was previously an area left to the local soccer body FUFA. This control extends to the gates where FUFA has previously been in control. Ticket sales will also not be allowed at the gates. A gate was broken in the Guinea Bissau match as a result of overcrowding.
Namboole will also control vending services within the confines of the stadium and its immediate surroundings. A security strategy detailing the proposed traffic flow will also soon be out.
Namboole also wants a meeting with FUFA not later than Monday to harmonise operations by the two bodies.
“Failure by FUFA to meet and agree on an acceptable approach will warrant Namboole to appeal to government and take over all arrangement in order to avert potential security and other breaches,†reads the Namboole release in part.
FUFA has in the mean time also been warned to stop making public pronouncements on stadium security, access and other related matters without consulting the stadium’s management.
“Current pronouncements on available seats, allocation of the same and pricing are misleading and should be ignored,†states the release copied to the education and sports ministry , police, FUFA and the privatization unit.
Against Guinea Bissau in June this year, FUFA had to investigate their own officials over the bustling crowd that turned up to watch the game.
The stadium has a capacity of 40,202 but although FUFA claim to have sold slightly over 40,000 match tickets, close to 60,000 fans are estimated to have accessed the stadium for the match.
Its on this background that Namboole has considered different security measures and ticketing options to avoid a repeat. The pavilion area that holds about 300 people was filled beyond capacity forcing some VIP ticket holders to watch the match from the tartan.
NAMBOOLE stadium management has, in a bid to ensure crowd safety in the Uganda versus Kenya match, put in place several controls.
This follows the last African Cup of Nations game at the same venue where up to 20000 people more than the stadium’s capacity of 42,202 got into the facility almost causing a disaster.
In a release issued yesterday, Namboole board chairman Jim Mugunga also explained that the measures follow FUFA’s failure to respond to several invitations to attend meetings pertaining to crowd safety.
Mugunga stressed that the stadium will on October 8 strictly accommodate its official capacity. Apart from accredited photographers and radio presenters in the press box, everyone in the stadium will be seated.
Namboole has also taken charge of security that was previously an area left to the local soccer body FUFA. This control extends to the gates where FUFA has previously been in control. Ticket sales will also not be allowed at the gates. A gate was broken in the Guinea Bissau match as a result of overcrowding.
Namboole will also control vending services within the confines of the stadium and its immediate surroundings. A security strategy detailing the proposed traffic flow will also soon be out.
Namboole also wants a meeting with FUFA not later than Monday to harmonise operations by the two bodies.
“Failure by FUFA to meet and agree on an acceptable approach will warrant Namboole to appeal to government and take over all arrangement in order to avert potential security and other breaches,†reads the Namboole release in part.
FUFA has in the mean time also been warned to stop making public pronouncements on stadium security, access and other related matters without consulting the stadium’s management.
“Current pronouncements on available seats, allocation of the same and pricing are misleading and should be ignored,†states the release copied to the education and sports ministry , police, FUFA and the privatization unit.
Against Guinea Bissau in June this year, FUFA had to investigate their own officials over the bustling crowd that turned up to watch the game.
The stadium has a capacity of 40,202 but although FUFA claim to have sold slightly over 40,000 match tickets, close to 60,000 fans are estimated to have accessed the stadium for the match.
Its on this background that Namboole has considered different security measures and ticketing options to avoid a repeat. The pavilion area that holds about 300 people was filled beyond capacity forcing some VIP ticket holders to watch the match from the tartan.