UPL Clubs Seek Financial Support From FUFA

As the COVID 19 pandemic continues to grip the entire world, various sports sectors in the country are struggling hard to break even.

Following the suspension of football activities in the country, clubs are facing challenges in meeting their operational requirements, most especially salary payments for players and staff.

Clubs through the Uganda Premier League Secretariat have since written to the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) seeking financial support.

Each club is requesting for funding of Shs. 60 million for the period of three months totalling to Shs. 960 million as the UPL secretariat requests for an additional Shs 68 million to meet their costs.

This request was confirmed in a letter addressed to the FUFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Edgar Watson, signed by the UPL board chairman, Arinaitwe Rugyendo and CEO Bernard B. Bainamani.

“UPL clubs rely on funding from various sources that include Government agencies, Corporate sponsors, gate collections, and shareholder contributions. All these sources have been affected by the shutdown and yet clubs must continue to spend without corresponding income streams. Therefore, as clubs look forward to the successful completion of the league for the 2019-2020 season among other activities, help is needed from the mother body, FUFA,” the letter partly read.

“Without a clear end in sight of this pandemic and when the industry will be allowed to fully operate again, we believe, the industry needs to find a way to face the long layoff and its effects squarely,” the letter added.

This funds, if granted will help see out clubs for the Months of May, June, and July and help teams prepare for the remaining five league games.