By BigEyeUg Team
Come Saturday, 5th September 2015, Uganda will be expected to be at the at Mitsamiouli Stadium battling it out with Comoros in the 2017 AFCON qualifiers but this is likely not to pass due to lack of sufficient funds. According to FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo, the federation has run out of options yet they are in desperate need for money if Uganda Cranes are to make it for the Comoros a trip that requires $210,000 (Shs763m) to fully prepare for a match which Micho cited out to be very important.
While in an interview with the Daily Monitor, Magogo also revealed that they (FUFA) have run short of funds having spent about $650,000 (Shs2.4b) on 14 international matches since March 2015 and realizing a return on just $70,000 (Shs255m). “We made our request to government many months before this campaign kicked off but until this late we are only hopeful but not sure. We have approached all the powers that are but no breakthrough yet,” reads Magogo’s statement on monitor.co.ug.
“His Excellency the President appreciates the contribution of sports to the country and knows the significance of this match in the context of qualification and since he has done it before, we believe he will do it again. But in event that we get no funding, we have no option but to withdraw from the competition.”
Should Uganda in any case withdraw from the continental competition, they will face fines and sanctions of about four years from any international competitions. Credit goes to President Museveni who has already financially supported the She Cranes during the recently concluded Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia before helping the Silverbacks who are in Tunisia for the Afrobasket tournament.
Uganda is seeded in Pool D with Burkina Fas, Botswana and Comoros. Costs summary for Comoros, *Expenses on preparations – $27,500 *Air tickets of players to K’la – $22,500 *Air tickets to Comoros – $60,000 *Advance party to Moroni – $5,000 *Pre-competition medical – $3,000 *Contingency for delegation – $2,000 *Bonuses and allowances – $65,000 *Accommodation in Moroni – $25,000
