NFLC blows whistle

By Leo Kabunga THE league starts Saturday, but the top three will only be able to join in the action April 1 and 4. KCC and Express, who together with SC Villa form the bulk of the national soccer team preparing to face Senegal, start April 1 away to Scoul and Heroes respectively. League champions SC Villa start their title defence on April 4 against league debutante Masaka LC. National Football League Committee (NFLC) vice chairman Livingstone Lajan yesterday released the first round fixtures at the weekly Nile Special Super league press conference at Lugogo. According to the first round fixtures, three matches will mark the opening of the 2001 season at Nakivubo, Kabale and Mbale stadiums. Simba takes on SCOUL at Nakivubo where Housing State minister Francis Babu is expected to be the chief guest, Horizon FC hosts Masaka LC in Kabale and the big clash will see Heroes take on Military in Mbale on Saturday. The fixtures accommodate the continental calendar. Lajan also said that Express and KCC had switched their home grounds from Nakivubo to Mandela National Stadium. Military, Simba, Police and Chicago United are the only clubs that will use Nakivubo stadium. Other stadiums are at Mbarara, Lugazi, Masaka Recreation ground, Iganga, Tororo and Akii Bua in Lira. Ends