SUPER LEAGUE KICK-OFF

By Fred Kaweesi & Douglas Mazune

Friday, 4pm
SC Villa v Express

THE disorganisation that undermines Ugandan football is not about to end – at least as for now in the eyes of certain stake holders.

An ill-timed fall-out between soccer governing body FUFA, league sponsors GTV and Mandela National Stadium management has already cast the league opener in doubt.

Namboole, major host of the 2007/8 league matches, yesterday threatened to shut their venue on any league fixtures unless FUFA and the league sponsors involve them in decision making and planning.

“It’s lousy management. They (FUFA) have to learn to do things together. They have still been hesitant communicating to us about their agreement with the sponsors and yet we are expected to host their matches,” stadium acting manager Francis Ikotot lamented yesterday.

The stadium points that the break in communication has not only hampered planning and preparation of the stadium’s facilities but could also jeopardise FUFA’s arrangement with GTV that allows the sponsors broadcast, commercial, gate collections and branding rights at the stadium.
“We want things transparently. We were supposed to see the GTV contract,” Ikotot added.

Privatisation Unit spokesman as well as stadium board member Jim Mugunga said: “Whereas Namboole remains a national sports facility, the shareholders expect it to be viably managed.

And therefore we believe that a common understanding for the good of both the game and the stadium should be reached.”

FUFA competitions committee secretary Moses Magogo however pointed: “The agreement was between FUFA and GTV. But there is a meeting tomorrow and we will iron out all this. There is nothing to worry,”

* After all 18 clubs signed an adherence deed they will receive the first installment of the GTV funding next week. Each club will get $5000 (sh8.7m) of the $20,000 (sh35m) for the entire season.

“We have cleared all the hindrances in the deal. We hope to transmit details to them (GTV) today for online signing and then wire the money to the clubs,” Magogo said.

The pay television is based in London.

Meanwhile, FUFA does not expect any form of advertisement on team jerseys because no club has declared a sponsor.

Clubs are supposed to declare their sponsors to GTV and FUFA.