By Sadique Bamwita
Kampala
The State Minister for Education and Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang has cautioned none performing sports Federations saying they risk losing getting more funding from government and development partners and instead their funds will be channeled to performing Federations.
The Minister made the remarks while officiating the signing of a 3year contractor worth Shs.2.6 billion between Betpawa and the Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA) on Wednesday, 20th March, 2024.
Minister Ogwang, who was delighted with the sponsorship from Betpawa said this time round, sports Federations will be appropriated funds based on good results or medals.
“We are tired of funding none performing Federations and this time round I am going to make a radical decision such that for a national team to be funded, it must show good performance or results. If a team does not produce good results, we shall cut its money to facilitate those that produce good results. We are fed up of giving money to teams which don’t produce good results yet we are interested in seeing silver, bronze and gold medals.
“If you ask funds we shall task you to show us your results. For instance in the ongoing All African games in Accra city, Ghana, Badminton has given me gold and silver medals, cycling has also given me a gold medal and that’s all out of the many sports disciplines in the country. I am going to table a proposal before cabinet that money be given to sports Federations based on results so that they get to compete seriously at the tournament level,” he said.
Minister Ogwang said the escalating challenges in sports can only be solved by bringing on board development partners like Betpawa that has sunk Shs.2.6 billion in the National Basketball teams both the senior male team( Silverbacks) and senior female team(Gazelles).
“I am grateful with the president of the Federation of Uganda Basketball Association ( FUBA) for identifying Betpawa as one of our key sponsors for our Basketball teams,” Minister Ogwang expressed his happiness towards the sponsorship.
He also expressed concern on the level of sports infrastructure development in the country saying this needs to be addressed with immediate effect.
“Government was going to construct the state of the art indoor Arena at Lugogo which is no longer going to be called the same name but will be called Kampala Indoor Arena because we have already signed a contract with a Turkish company that constructed the magnificent Kigali Arena,” he revealed.
“Currently, we are mobilizing resources for the groundbreaking ceremony of the proposed Kampala Arena at Lugogo. The bad news however, I have received a stern warning from unscrupulous people who claim ownership of land housing the proposed site. They claim ownership of the entire Lugogo Land. I think this is a real sabotage and this should not be taken for granted. I therefore, request the president of the Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA) to support my legal team because we have resolved to take the matter to court for redress.
“Can you imagine we are ready to invest in the infrastructure to a tune of USD 150m dollars . In my capacity , I have issued an injunction order on our Lugogo land as we await court to determine the matter.
Minister Ogwang revealed that parliament is soon coming up with an infamous law which controls all the betting brands.
” Some betting companies which have never sponsored any sports disciplines after hearing this infamous law are now running to me .These companies have been here since independence but surprisingly have never sponsored any national teams but keep on telling me how they are investing million dollars in their respective business ventures, ” Minister Ogwang expressed his concern on some betting companies.
The minister further said he is in talks with the Ministry of Finance to reduce on taxes paid by the National gaming and Lottery Board in order to be able to get more money to be put to good use for purposes of supporting construction of sports infrastructures in the country.
“World over, National gaming and Lottery Board helps to support sports infrastructures for good causes. I thank the finance minister who has already signed and accepted to channel all the money collected in form of taxes from the National gaming and Lottery Board to invest it into infrastructure development which we must plan properly.
“In the next financial year 2024/2025, I expect to get Shs.180 billion from the National gaming and Lottery Board for sports infrastructure development. You will see me on the floor of Parliament in June to actualize what I have said today because we need to raise more money. As government we shall support Betpawa to enable it’s business to flourish and also generate more money to support infrastructure development.
“I appeal to management of the Federation of Uganda Basketball Association to run it as a business because once you run it as business you expect to get more money out of it. Make sure you set up a shop where team kits for both Silverbacks and Gazelles are sold. We made a Law that protects you as a brand and you have sole rights to sell the Uganda Basketball team kits in Uganda. On this note , I challenge our sponsors to help put these team kits in the market , “Minister Ogwang made the suggestion.
“I thank Betpawa for coming up with a medical insurance cover for our players on national teams. I have issued a written directive that the National team players must be insured before traveling to play any games. I have done this because previously I had a problem with a team where a young girl played in Namiba and got injured but when she came back the federation didn’t bother to take care of her medical bills . The poor girl lodged a complaint to me and I ended up footing all her medical bills to a tune of Shs.5.2m . Its against this backdrop that I directed the National Council of sports that a team traveling for a tournament outside the country all players must be insured. There is no way you can avoid injuries, “said Hon.Ogwang.
The team manager and Administrator of the Federation of Uganda Basketball Association, Albert Ahabwe, said for the last 11years the Basketball Federation has been grappling with the issue of insufficient resources but with sponsorship from Betpawa company this is now addressed.
” Our women Basketball national team missed two Afro Basketball tournaments because of financial challenges. However, we are constantly improving the team amidst financial challenges. We believe we have talent and that’s why we have partnered with Betpawa to sponsor our team and we shall be able to prepare in time, “Mr. Ahabwe expressed optimism.
The Chief Executive officer (CEO) for Betpawa Uganda, Allan Tumushabe revealed that the partnership with the Federation of Uganda Basketball Association was the second signing following the first one with the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) adding that it’s a step in the right direction.
The Chief Brand officer for Betpawa, Spencer Okach, said Betpawa is willing to sponsor both the Male and Female Basketball national teams and that the Shs.2.6 billion sponsorship is just the beginning.
“We have signed a 3year contract with the Federation of Uganda Basketball Association to be the official sponsor of the male national basketball team Silverbacks and the female national basketball team Gazelles. The sponsorship covers training, accommodation and supplements among other things. We shall also pay winning bonus worth Shs150,000 to each player for each game won and this will be paid instantly,” she said.
The Chief Commercial Officer for Betpawa, Mr. Ntondi Mouyelo, said Betpawa serves 20 markets in Africa and that’s why they chose to sponsor the Federation of Uganda Basketball Association because Uganda has a number of talented sports men and women.
The Chief Executive officer (CEO) for the Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA) , Marcus Kwikiriza , noted that the journey to secure the Shs.2.6 billion sponsorship from Betpawa took 9 months and that they have been operating on small budget and that with the available sponsorship the national basketball teams for both male and female team will be in position to attend all the basketball tournaments.
The General Secretary for the National Council of sports, Dr. Bernard Patrick Ogwel, revealed that Uganda is ranked as one of the fastest growing in basketball game adding that with Betpawa coming on board to sponsor the game the future of basketball looks brighter. He however, asked other sponsors to support other sports disciplines beyond basketball saying Uganda has more than 51 national sports disciplines and is doing well in terms of world rankings.
