The Secretary General of the Federation of International
Football Associations (FIFA), Fatma Samoura has today urged
Parliament of Uganda to fast track amendments to the sports law.
Samoura made the statement when she paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of
Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga on Monday afternoon.
She noted that the government of Uganda pledged that it would amend the
National Council of Sports Act, 1964 by 2018 but this has not been done to
date.
The government has in the recent past promised to bring the Sports and Physical
Activity bill to Parliament so as to repeal the National Council of Sports
(NCS) Act and address deficiencies in the management and administration of the
sports sub sector. Cabinet is yet to approve the bill.
NCS is mandated to administer the sports sub sector which includes monitoring
operations and also extend government funding to various sports associations
and federations.
The Federation for Uganda Football Associations – FUFA is among the 48 sports
associations and federations currently recognized by NCS.
Now, Samoura says that the current law is a challenge because FUFA’s legal
status is not compatible with FIFA regulations. Therefore, amendments to the
sports law will address the challenge, particularly the steps FUFA will be
required to take to register its affiliation with FIFA
She says that her visit is an opportunity to remind officials about the need
for a new sports law.
The Speaker, Kadaga says that she will ask the new sports minister,
Hamson Obua on the progress of the bill and when it will be brought to
Parliament for further scrutiny and enactment.
Kadaga said that she was excited to meet Samoura in person, having watched her
on TV giving interviews on her job as the first African and first female to
hold the position of FIFA Secretary General.
Kadaga lauded FIFA for extending $6million US dollars (approximately Shs
22 billion) annually to FUFA, but also urges FIFA to consider funding more
infrastructure projects in Uganda especially stadia to promote football at the
grassroots.
FUFA has been receiving Shs 10 billion annually from government since
July 2018 as the most funded sports association in Uganda.
Samoura also praised Kadaga and government of Uganda for supporting football.
Samoura, who hails from Senegal, was elected FIFA Secretary General in
May 2016. She is visiting Uganda on the invitation of FUFA to witness the
launch of FUFA extended headquarters and also projects such as stadia in
Lugazi, Lungujja and FUFA Technical Training Centre, Njeru.
FUFA President, Moses Magogo informed Kadaga that Samoura will commission
the FUFA headquarters, and also lauded FIFA for supporting the
development of football in Uganda.
Samoura will inspect, evaluate and commission FUFA projects financed under the
FIFA Forward Programme including the headquarter expansion. The
headquarter expansion project commenced in 2018 as a result of the FIFA
President Gianni Infantino’s visit to Uganda in 2017.
Her visit comes a month after FUFA President Moses Magogo returned to office
after two months of suspension from all football-related activities. FIFA also
fined him Shs 37 million for his role in the resale of 2014 World Cup
tickets.
She however declined to comment on the impact Magogo’s suspension and plea bargaining
has had on FUFA- FIFA relationship.
The News Editor ,Reporter at Kagadi Kibaale community Radio
