Mawanda eats his words
May 28, 2004
UGANDAN-BORN Chelsea player Joel Kitamirike arrives in Kampala this weekend to finalise arrangements to play for Cranes.
By Fred Kaweesi
UGANDAN-BORN Chelsea player Joel Kitamirike arrives in Kampala this weekend to finalise arrangements to play for Cranes.
Despite FUFA’s attempt to pour cold water on his bid to play for the national soccer team, Kitamirike told New Vision on phone from London yesterday that he was packing his boots and set to travel today or tomorrow.
“I have since made it clear that I want to play for my motherland because in life there isn’t anything better. Am Ugandan and its me to decide on what I prefer,†he said.
“Issues about my dual citizenship can be solved and we will do that immediately I arrive in Uganda,†Kitamirike pointed out.
Minister of Internal affairs Ruhakana Rugunda urged Kitamirike, to denounce British citizenship if he is to play for Cranes against DR Congo on June 5.
“If he dropped his British citizenship then its okay because the laws in Uganda can give him his citizenship. The proposal about dual citizenship still awaits cabinet approval but if Kitamirike renounced his British citizenship then he can play for Uganda,†said Ruhakana Rugunda.
Dual citizenship is one of the issues in the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) report pending cabinet debate.
The 20-year-old is back at Chelsea after a one-year spell on loan to first division outfit Brentford. He has played for the England U-15 team before but that does not stop him representing Uganda at senior level.
FUFA assistant secretary Haruna Mawanda, who had earlier dismissed Kitamirike and the press for carrying the story, turned around yesterday and said: “I can confirm that he will be with us soon. He will cater for his flight charges here that will be refunded. We are happy that he is willing to play for us.â€
Haruna Mawanda:
“Due to the current laws we cannot have the boy in the Cranes squad, much as we would have loved. We should desist from exciting the public who might finally blame FUFA officials for neglecting the boy. Now go and tell them (readers) the truth about the boy.â€
Denis Obua:
“The boy is still young and still has chances of playing for the English senior team. Playing for The Cranes now would spoil those chances.â€
State Minister Okello Oryem- Attended press conference and listened attentively
UGANDAN-BORN Chelsea player Joel Kitamirike arrives in Kampala this weekend to finalise arrangements to play for Cranes.
Despite FUFA’s attempt to pour cold water on his bid to play for the national soccer team, Kitamirike told New Vision on phone from London yesterday that he was packing his boots and set to travel today or tomorrow.
“I have since made it clear that I want to play for my motherland because in life there isn’t anything better. Am Ugandan and its me to decide on what I prefer,†he said.
“Issues about my dual citizenship can be solved and we will do that immediately I arrive in Uganda,†Kitamirike pointed out.
Minister of Internal affairs Ruhakana Rugunda urged Kitamirike, to denounce British citizenship if he is to play for Cranes against DR Congo on June 5.
“If he dropped his British citizenship then its okay because the laws in Uganda can give him his citizenship. The proposal about dual citizenship still awaits cabinet approval but if Kitamirike renounced his British citizenship then he can play for Uganda,†said Ruhakana Rugunda.
Dual citizenship is one of the issues in the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) report pending cabinet debate.
The 20-year-old is back at Chelsea after a one-year spell on loan to first division outfit Brentford. He has played for the England U-15 team before but that does not stop him representing Uganda at senior level.
FUFA assistant secretary Haruna Mawanda, who had earlier dismissed Kitamirike and the press for carrying the story, turned around yesterday and said: “I can confirm that he will be with us soon. He will cater for his flight charges here that will be refunded. We are happy that he is willing to play for us.â€
Haruna Mawanda:
“Due to the current laws we cannot have the boy in the Cranes squad, much as we would have loved. We should desist from exciting the public who might finally blame FUFA officials for neglecting the boy. Now go and tell them (readers) the truth about the boy.â€
Denis Obua:
“The boy is still young and still has chances of playing for the English senior team. Playing for The Cranes now would spoil those chances.â€
State Minister Okello Oryem- Attended press conference and listened attentively