Africa-Press – Uganda. New Uganda Youth Football Association (UYFA) chairman Roberts Kiwanuka plans to rejuvenate youth football as he embarks on his four-year journey at the helm.
Kiwanuka, the proprietor of Rays of Grace Academy in Njeru, replaced John Bosco Masiko in May’s polls.“I think there is great potential to make youth football in the country and you will see a lot of changes aimed at benefiting young players and the academies that train them,” Kiwanuka said.
Virtual meeting
UYFA held their annual general assembly at Lungujja on Saturday, with most participants attending virtually on Zoom to prevent the spread of coronavirus.Kiwanuka insisted on streamlining the operation of academies including registration and creation of a player database.
“There has been a big challenge on player passports and compensation of youth teams. We shall put a lot of emphasis on this and make sure that academies function properly,” he said.Many youth teams have cried foul in the past in regards to compensation when players sign professional contracts but Kiwanuka has the opportunity to take a step towards streamlining the clogged system.Having passed a Shs208m budget, UYFA has planned to start an academies league at regional level, among other activities that include a digitised secretariat.
Increased expenditure
The association has been operating on a Shs93.4m but Kiwanuka is hopeful the increased expenditure will be realised through sponsorships on top of Fufa contribution as well as academy registration and subscription. To become a member, an academy pays an annual subscription of Shs100, 000.
Up to 13 new academies were admitted including Jean Sseninde United but former URA chief executive Ivan Kakembo’s Uganda Youth Soccer Academy’s (UYSA) admission is pending regarding legalities of registration. Kiwanuka says UYSA is registered as a company centrally to association football guidelines. “Their legal standing directly takes the academy into URSB [Uganda Registration Services Bureau] under companies not under academies,” Kiwanuka elaborated.
UYFA EXECUTIVE
Chairman: Roberts KiwanukaFirst vice chairman: Morris OtidiSecond vice chairman: Farouk KigongoMembers: Mansoor Kabugo, Gad Batuuse, Ibra Kakeeto, Peter Serumaga, Patience Atuhaire, John Michael Ereb, Morris Muhindo, Abbey Ssentongo, Francis Mugoya and Warren Akankwasa.
