Key players in the Uganda football industry met Monday to discuss the future of the sport in a one day symposium organised by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.
The primary focus of the event was to discuss and formulate a comprehensive National Football Technical Plan for the period 2023-2030.
The symposium attracted a wide range of key stakeholders, experts, and professionals from various domains within the football industry. This collaborative gathering aimed to shape a strategic technical plan that would revolutionize Uganda’s football landscape and ensure its sustained growth and success.
The overarching mission of the football technical plan is to establish mass participation in football, while simultaneously fostering a high-performance culture for elite players. Additionally, the plan seeks to develop a universal playing style for Uganda’s national teams and clubs, promoting both entertaining and purposeful football. Lastly, it aims to create pathways for Ugandan football players to compete in the world’s top leagues, increasing the country’s global football presence.
During the symposium, participants engaged in in-depth discussions related to nine key pillars that formed the foundation of the technical plan. These pillars encompassed various aspects of football development, including mass football, elite football, professional football, life after football, coach education, talent identification, referees development, medicine, science and technology, as well as facilities and equipment.
FUFA President, Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim, expressed the importance of seeking input from diverse stakeholders, stating, “FUFA has come up with ideas, but we are here to hear from other stakeholders who we believe have many more ideas about the technical plan.” This emphasis on collaboration and inclusivity ensures that the technical plan aligns with the aspirations and needs of all stakeholders involved in Ugandan football.
Ronnie Kalema, FUFA Executive Secretary of Football Development, highlighted the significance of the symposium’s attendees, stating, “We have invited 130 key stakeholders in the areas of Government, coaching, schools, refereeing, youth football, facilities, youth football, elite football, former players, instructors, medicine, talent identification, referees, and media for the FUFA One-day Symposium.” By bringing together experts from diverse backgrounds, FUFA aimed to capture a wide range of perspectives to create a robust and inclusive technical plan.
The symposium served as a vital platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, share best practices, and collaboratively develop strategies that will shape the future of Ugandan football. It is hoped that the National Football Technical Plan for 2023-2030 will pave the way for sustainable growth and success, allowing Uganda to become a prominent force in international football.
As the symposium concluded, FUFA expressed its gratitude to all participants for their valuable contributions and reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the technical plan. With a united front and a strategic roadmap in place, Ugandan football looks poised to enter an exciting new era of development and achievement.
