We're off

 Top rally clubs quit AAU, to run new season under FMU By Douglas Mazune THE three leading motor sport clubs in the country have quit the game's local governing body, the Automobile Association of Uganda. Officials of UMOSPOC, MOSAC and UMC resolved at the weekend to run the 2001 season under the newly formed rival body, the Federation of Motors port Clubs of Uganda (FMU). The unprecedented move effectively tilts the balance of power in favour of the new body that has been battling for supremacy with AAU for the better part of the year. The chairman of the AAU's competition committee, John Mutenda, had recently announced the body would soon hand over power to a neutral body arguing that FMU's leadership was not properly divided among clubs. There are 10 clubs affiliated to AAU, but UMOSPOC, MOSAC and UMC between them organise all National Rally Championship events, by far the most significant arm of the sport in the country. Other clubs are mainly cycling organisations. The three rebel clubs signed a document siding with FMU and demanded for the official calendar for next season and other requirements. UMOSPOC president, David Bitalo, his competitions secretary Godfrey Okumu, general secretary Pauline Bukenya, Hamid Gombe, Dipu Ruparelia and Enid Ayeha signed on behalf of their club. General secretary Giovanni Storchi and Justine Beyendeza signed on behalf MOSAC, while president Steve Mayanja, long serving official Jimmy Dean and member Andrew Kiyingi represented UMC. "We the undersigned clubs demand the executive of FMU, to issue the official calendar, guidelines on how to acquire the necessary instruments to run an event like lifting speed limits, police permission and competition licenses," the document said. The clubs also demanded that FMU should inform the public, sponsors and rally fraternity that it holds motor sport powers in this country. "All the demands have been made on account of the fact that the undersigned will run all their events under the auspices of FMU," the document said. FMU president Jack Wavamunno told The New Vision yesterday that all the demands by the top clubs are already in place apart from the competition licenses that are expected to be ready next week. "We are going to meet the clubs on Friday (tomorrow) and assure them everything will be in time for next season. FMU will meet all their demands," Wavamunno said. AACC competitions secretary Felix Odongkara said the clubs are free to run their events under FMU but he warned that the championship would not be recognised by FIA, the world ruling body. "What licenses are they going to give drivers?" Odongkara said."FIA knows AAU and we issue FIA licenses. We are still going on with the normal arrangement to pass on power to a neutral body, I do not see FMU running a calendar in the next one year." The rally fraternity formed FMU at the height of leadership wrangles in AAU early this year. The National Council of Sports has since withdrawn sporting powers from AAU and granted them to FMU, which has since applied to FIA for affiliation. FIA will send an official to Uganda on a fact-finding mission before making a decision. Ends.