Ezra gives 1b/- to sports journalists
Apr 21, 2004
TYCOON Michael Ezra yesterday bounced back on the sports scene with a sh1b offer to Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA), the biggest sponsorship in the history of Ugandan sport
By Douglas Mazune
TYCOON Michael Ezra yesterday bounced back on the sports scene with a sh1b offer to Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA), the biggest sponsorship in the history of Ugandan sport.
The philanthropist disclosed the offer at an extraordinary USPA assembly at Hotel Africana at 9.00am.
Ezra, who was due to announce the offer at a similar function at the Rwenzori Ball Room at Sheraton Hotel on Thursday last week, turned up at Africana at 10.00am to address a packed room of sports journalists.
The Sheraton briefing last week was called off at the last minute.
Ezra said he wanted to see European big names like Arsenal’s Thierry Henry visiting the Pearl of Africa in January 2005.
“I have decided that I will sponsor USPA activities for the coming two years. So my sponsorship will run up to 2006. This means I am going to sponsor the 2005 and 2006 USPA galas without co-sponsors.
They (USPA) should start spending immediately I step out of here. I don’t expect you to complain about any problems,†he told the visibly astonished journalists.
Ezra, who this year presided over the gala for the first time as USPA patron, urged the executive to organise a better gala next year.
He gave USPA a blank cheque for this year’s colourful gala at which leading sport personalities were crowned.
“I hope the USPA executive has learnt a lot. Next year I want USPA to bring foreign sportsmen for the purpose of the gala. I want these stars you see on TV like Henry (Thierry), or Roger Milla to come and crown our sportsmen. I want at least three international stars.
We are going to be global. We have the money. Kabuleta (USPA chairman) should contact them. It is just a matter of knowing their schedule and giving them lucrative deals. If USPA can’t, I will bring them. I know them and I have the contacts,†he said.
Ezra, who recently refuted reports that he forged a Directorate of Military Intelligence ID and extorted money in 1999, explained his absence since the story broke saying, “A few tired fellows wrote about me so I wanted to put things straight before I embark on sports. Most of you were heart broken and thought ‘the man has finally seen darkness.’ But I am around. Some of these people had a bad upbringing,†he said.
Earlier, plainclothes security personnel occasionally checked Ezra’s seat and replaced a hotel mineral water bottle with one of their own. There were reports last week that Ezra had been poisoned in a hotel.
When Star FM sports presenter Hamza Ngobi, who is a marathon runner, asked a question, Ezra pointed at him and said, “You man, you are a marathon runner. You run almost every month. it’s not healthy.â€
An excited Ngobi rushed for a handshake with the tycoon, while asking for sh1m sponsorship to travel for a race in South Africa while repeatedly saying, “So you know me, sir.â€
“Sh1m to South Africa? I will give you sh2m,†Ezra told Ngobi, who nearly fell to his knees.
TYCOON Michael Ezra yesterday bounced back on the sports scene with a sh1b offer to Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA), the biggest sponsorship in the history of Ugandan sport.
The philanthropist disclosed the offer at an extraordinary USPA assembly at Hotel Africana at 9.00am.
Ezra, who was due to announce the offer at a similar function at the Rwenzori Ball Room at Sheraton Hotel on Thursday last week, turned up at Africana at 10.00am to address a packed room of sports journalists.
The Sheraton briefing last week was called off at the last minute.
Ezra said he wanted to see European big names like Arsenal’s Thierry Henry visiting the Pearl of Africa in January 2005.
“I have decided that I will sponsor USPA activities for the coming two years. So my sponsorship will run up to 2006. This means I am going to sponsor the 2005 and 2006 USPA galas without co-sponsors.
They (USPA) should start spending immediately I step out of here. I don’t expect you to complain about any problems,†he told the visibly astonished journalists.
Ezra, who this year presided over the gala for the first time as USPA patron, urged the executive to organise a better gala next year.
He gave USPA a blank cheque for this year’s colourful gala at which leading sport personalities were crowned.
“I hope the USPA executive has learnt a lot. Next year I want USPA to bring foreign sportsmen for the purpose of the gala. I want these stars you see on TV like Henry (Thierry), or Roger Milla to come and crown our sportsmen. I want at least three international stars.
We are going to be global. We have the money. Kabuleta (USPA chairman) should contact them. It is just a matter of knowing their schedule and giving them lucrative deals. If USPA can’t, I will bring them. I know them and I have the contacts,†he said.
Ezra, who recently refuted reports that he forged a Directorate of Military Intelligence ID and extorted money in 1999, explained his absence since the story broke saying, “A few tired fellows wrote about me so I wanted to put things straight before I embark on sports. Most of you were heart broken and thought ‘the man has finally seen darkness.’ But I am around. Some of these people had a bad upbringing,†he said.
Earlier, plainclothes security personnel occasionally checked Ezra’s seat and replaced a hotel mineral water bottle with one of their own. There were reports last week that Ezra had been poisoned in a hotel.
When Star FM sports presenter Hamza Ngobi, who is a marathon runner, asked a question, Ezra pointed at him and said, “You man, you are a marathon runner. You run almost every month. it’s not healthy.â€
An excited Ngobi rushed for a handshake with the tycoon, while asking for sh1m sponsorship to travel for a race in South Africa while repeatedly saying, “So you know me, sir.â€
“Sh1m to South Africa? I will give you sh2m,†Ezra told Ngobi, who nearly fell to his knees.