Support rugby, Government told
Oct 01, 2007
UGANDA Rugby Union has appealed for more government support.
By James Bakama and Swalley Kenyi
UGANDA Rugby Union has appealed for more government support.
“There is need for tax breaks and grassroots support,†requested URU boss Andrew Owiny citing African countries like Morocco that have prospered due to intensive government backing.
Owiny made the call yesterday at a welcome luncheon for the victorious rugby Cranes side at Hotel Africana.
Uganda beat Madagascar 42-11 in the CAR Africa Cup final in Antananarivo over the weekend to win the coveted trophy.
Education and Sports state minister Charles Bakkabulindi presided over the function where the national side was showered with praises.
“You’ve showed everyone that sports does not mean soccer alone. You’ve honoured this country,†an overjoyed Bakkabulindi told the URU executive, the team, fans plus ministry and National Council of Sports officials.
Confederation of African Rugby vice president Paul Sigombe observed that the Cranes while in Madagascar were not only a class apart on the field but also off it.
“You guys were exemplary,†noted Sigombe, who doubled up as tournament director. He cited Cote d’Ivoire, which rejected a hotel unlike the Cranes, who were never bothered by hardships.
Main sponsors Uganda Breweries, through their Managing Director Baker Magunda, promised more support.
Magunda attributed the sport’s immense corporate support to a rare Ugandan sports mix. “The union not only has people who are educated, but who can also play and manage the game well.â€
Reflecting on the final, Owiny was overwhelmed: “the team’s focus, determination, grace and elegance amazed me. I was bloody nervous before the match. But I settled down to watch a team that was an act above all other teams.â€
Determination was underlined by some of the sacrifices made. Players not only left their jobs, but also classes for two weeks.
But for Dennis Etuket, Roger Rukundo, Timothy Mudoola, Tony Luggya and Alex Mubiru, the sacrifice was perhaps a notch higher as they forewent their Makerere University graduation to fight for Uganda.
* The Rugby Cranes have won the utl-USPA awards for September.
The team gathered 660 votes at the scribes’ monthly meeting at Lugogo yesterday to beat football Cranes striker David Obua (525) to second place and long distance athlete Moses Kipsiro (480) to a third finish.
The Rugby Cranes, who returned from the week-long continental tournament to a rousing welcome at Entebbe airport yesterday, had made the contestants’ list after a brilliant performance at the CAR Africa Cup which they won with a 42-11 margin over hosts Madagascar on Saturday.
Obua, who was until then the favourite to win his first USPA accolade this year was over-powered by the rugby players who for now stand to even win the scribe’s annual overall award.
Kipsiro made the list for his effort as the sole Ugandan runner out of nine, to secure a medal (bronze) at the World Athletics Championships in Japan last month.
The football Cranes, chess player Stephen Kawuma, Riders basketball team, Mawokota FC, Kibibi and St. Mary’s Kitende secondary schools were commended for excellent performances in the month.
The meeting started with 1999 and 2000 USPA rugby personality - now International Rugby Board educator Herbert Wafula taking the members through basic knowledge of the sport that has steadily gathered followers locally.
UGANDA Rugby Union has appealed for more government support.
“There is need for tax breaks and grassroots support,†requested URU boss Andrew Owiny citing African countries like Morocco that have prospered due to intensive government backing.
Owiny made the call yesterday at a welcome luncheon for the victorious rugby Cranes side at Hotel Africana.
Uganda beat Madagascar 42-11 in the CAR Africa Cup final in Antananarivo over the weekend to win the coveted trophy.
Education and Sports state minister Charles Bakkabulindi presided over the function where the national side was showered with praises.
“You’ve showed everyone that sports does not mean soccer alone. You’ve honoured this country,†an overjoyed Bakkabulindi told the URU executive, the team, fans plus ministry and National Council of Sports officials.
Confederation of African Rugby vice president Paul Sigombe observed that the Cranes while in Madagascar were not only a class apart on the field but also off it.
“You guys were exemplary,†noted Sigombe, who doubled up as tournament director. He cited Cote d’Ivoire, which rejected a hotel unlike the Cranes, who were never bothered by hardships.
Main sponsors Uganda Breweries, through their Managing Director Baker Magunda, promised more support.
Magunda attributed the sport’s immense corporate support to a rare Ugandan sports mix. “The union not only has people who are educated, but who can also play and manage the game well.â€
Reflecting on the final, Owiny was overwhelmed: “the team’s focus, determination, grace and elegance amazed me. I was bloody nervous before the match. But I settled down to watch a team that was an act above all other teams.â€
Determination was underlined by some of the sacrifices made. Players not only left their jobs, but also classes for two weeks.
But for Dennis Etuket, Roger Rukundo, Timothy Mudoola, Tony Luggya and Alex Mubiru, the sacrifice was perhaps a notch higher as they forewent their Makerere University graduation to fight for Uganda.
* The Rugby Cranes have won the utl-USPA awards for September.
The team gathered 660 votes at the scribes’ monthly meeting at Lugogo yesterday to beat football Cranes striker David Obua (525) to second place and long distance athlete Moses Kipsiro (480) to a third finish.
The Rugby Cranes, who returned from the week-long continental tournament to a rousing welcome at Entebbe airport yesterday, had made the contestants’ list after a brilliant performance at the CAR Africa Cup which they won with a 42-11 margin over hosts Madagascar on Saturday.
Obua, who was until then the favourite to win his first USPA accolade this year was over-powered by the rugby players who for now stand to even win the scribe’s annual overall award.
Kipsiro made the list for his effort as the sole Ugandan runner out of nine, to secure a medal (bronze) at the World Athletics Championships in Japan last month.
The football Cranes, chess player Stephen Kawuma, Riders basketball team, Mawokota FC, Kibibi and St. Mary’s Kitende secondary schools were commended for excellent performances in the month.
The meeting started with 1999 and 2000 USPA rugby personality - now International Rugby Board educator Herbert Wafula taking the members through basic knowledge of the sport that has steadily gathered followers locally.