League committee grants FOF players free access

By Peter Ekarot and William Muwonge NFLC at the weekend resolved that all under 14 players watch the Nile Special Super league games free of charge. National Football League Committee secretary Raphael Ouma-Bwire revealed: "All U-14 boys and girls will effective this July, enter super league games free. This is intended to arouse interest from kids to watch soccer. "We are happy with Friends of Football (FOF) starting a national league of U-14s so its members have access to watch seniors play." British American Tobacco Uganda sponsored Sportsman Kakungulu cup starts Friday countrywide while NFLC is yet to set dates for the kick-off of the Hedex cup sponsored by SmithKline Beecham. The NFLC sitting at FUFA offices at Nakulabye warned FIFA referee Siraje Katono to either be serious while handling league matches or face stern action. The warning came after the June 23 match that KCC won 5-2 against Mbarara, but had three red cards and assistant referee Fred Wanyama injured and hospitalised after attacks from Mbarara players. FOF meanwhile, plans to launch an Under 16 or 17 league to run alongside the under 14 event. FOF chairman Robert Aloro, said plans are underway to secure sponsors for the new league. "We are moving steadily, we are already in contact with potential sponsors," the former international said. Aloro said boys playing in the under 14 league will soon be ineligible to compete in the event. "This creates the need to have a new competition for them, this is the best way to help the boys improve their skills." Hat-trick retained the under 14 title after the final two weeks ago. The event was started last year. The expanded league jointly sponsored by City Tyres and Family Planning Association of Uganda played over two months drew a record 182 teams. FOF was formed in 1997 with objective of identifying and grooming talented youngsters. The body also runs non competitive activities for the under 12 boys. Ends