Lwakataka: MMC should face fire
Dec 20, 2009
<b>I SAY SO</b><br>DOUGLAS MAZUNE<br><br>FEDERATION of Motor Clubs of Uganda (FMU) last week banned driver Ponsiano Lwakataka for three months. A lenient ban it was, if you asked me.
I SAY SO
DOUGLAS MAZUNE
FEDERATION of Motor Clubs of Uganda (FMU) last week banned driver Ponsiano Lwakataka for three months. A lenient ban it was, if you asked me.
Lwakataka was punished for bringing the sport into disrepute when he entered two 11-year-old boys in the Mbarara Motor Club (MMC) Sprint early this month.
Despite warnings by FMU and National Council of Sports, radio advertisements persuading fans to go and watch the children racing, continued to run.
The matter raised public concern when the children appeared on television driving a rally car, compelling Police spokeswoman Judith Nabakoba to issue a stern warning.
As if that was not bad enough Lwakataka was involved in a scuffle with a policewoman on duty at the sprint.
That Lwakataka escaped with just a three-month suspension is tantamount to condoning indiscipline on the part of the FMU leadership.
There’s no doubt Lwakataka has contributed much to the sport by way of organising sprints and a national championship event through Southern Motor Club. His club played a great role in encouraging female drivers like Susan Muwonge to join a male dominated sport.
But that does not entitle him to do as he wishes. FMU has over the year enjoyed good relations with stakeholders outside the sports especially the Police.
As recently as 1998, the Police almost recommended the banning of motor rallying because of rowdy fans that caused road accidents. It took a lot to restore Police confidence.
The MMC Sprint was ‘sold’ to Lwakataka and no punishment has been given to MMC. It should actually have been the club to suffer the biggest punishment.
Clubs that surrender commercial rights to people should take full responsibility of the technical, and to some extent commercial aspects that affect the sport. FMU officials who attended the press conference at which the children were paraded before the cameras should be cautioned, or even punished as well, for failing to prevail over Lwakataka.
FMU should NOT compromise on discipline.
DOUGLAS MAZUNE
FEDERATION of Motor Clubs of Uganda (FMU) last week banned driver Ponsiano Lwakataka for three months. A lenient ban it was, if you asked me.
Lwakataka was punished for bringing the sport into disrepute when he entered two 11-year-old boys in the Mbarara Motor Club (MMC) Sprint early this month.
Despite warnings by FMU and National Council of Sports, radio advertisements persuading fans to go and watch the children racing, continued to run.
The matter raised public concern when the children appeared on television driving a rally car, compelling Police spokeswoman Judith Nabakoba to issue a stern warning.
As if that was not bad enough Lwakataka was involved in a scuffle with a policewoman on duty at the sprint.
That Lwakataka escaped with just a three-month suspension is tantamount to condoning indiscipline on the part of the FMU leadership.
There’s no doubt Lwakataka has contributed much to the sport by way of organising sprints and a national championship event through Southern Motor Club. His club played a great role in encouraging female drivers like Susan Muwonge to join a male dominated sport.
But that does not entitle him to do as he wishes. FMU has over the year enjoyed good relations with stakeholders outside the sports especially the Police.
As recently as 1998, the Police almost recommended the banning of motor rallying because of rowdy fans that caused road accidents. It took a lot to restore Police confidence.
The MMC Sprint was ‘sold’ to Lwakataka and no punishment has been given to MMC. It should actually have been the club to suffer the biggest punishment.
Clubs that surrender commercial rights to people should take full responsibility of the technical, and to some extent commercial aspects that affect the sport. FMU officials who attended the press conference at which the children were paraded before the cameras should be cautioned, or even punished as well, for failing to prevail over Lwakataka.
FMU should NOT compromise on discipline.