The strategic plan of FUFA dubbed the ‘The Future 2021-2025’ with the theme Consolidate and Takeoff was presented to the General Assembly in Mbale by Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim who was seeking another term in office as FUFA President. He was returned to office unopposed but he promised to make changes in five key areas;
1-Football Governance and Administration
2-Football the Sport (Development, Competitions and International football)
3- Football the Business (Finance, Marketing and Communications)
4-Hardware (Infrastructure, facilities and Logistics)
5- People ware (Internal Stakeholders and Externals Stakeholders.
With the education of human resource key on FUFA’s technical agenda, the just concluded 26th FUFA Exco meeting approved to start the initial process of turning the FUFA Technical Centre into a fully-fledged ‘Uganda Professional Sports Institute’ licensed by the National Council for Higher Education.
Over the weekend, the Executive Secretary in charge of the FUFA Football Development function Ronnie Kalema took the baby steps for the bigger dream when he hosted renowned and Senior educationist Mr. Fagil Mandy at the FUFA Technical Centre for guidance on the plans.
FUFA Media talked to the FUFA Executive Committee Member Kalema about the project.
FUFA Media: What is the FUFA Education agenda?
Kalema: FUFA has various goals and responsibilities, amongst them is promoting education and sharing knowledge. FUFA is committed to providing educational services on highly relevant matters related to football and eager to share its vast experience in that ever-evolving and rapidly changing environment in the Industry of Sport.
The agenda seeks to deliver invaluable insights supported by practical real-life examples.
On that note, the FUFA Executive Committee has since resolved to establish the first ever sports centre to be called Uganda Professional Sports Institute at theFUFA Technical Center in Njeru.
The Institute will be licensed and accredited by the National Council for Higher Education.
FUFA and National Council for Higher Education are already in talks to accredit the Institute as an institution of higher learning so that the Institute is recognized in the country and around the world. The talks are in advanced stages.
The Institute shall be staffed with permanent, capable and experienced Instructors/ Lecturers plus other visiting renowned academicians and eminent personalities.
We have specialized institutes in the Country like;
1-Senior Command and Staff College-Kimaka for UPDF
2-Ugand Police Senior Command and Staff College-Bwebajja
3-Law Development Centre
4-Ugand Institute of Baking and Financial Services
5-Uganda Institute of Professional Engineers
So the Uganda Professional Sports Institute will prepare students with practical, specialized and working knowledge to professionals to equip them for service delivery in both the public and private sector.
FUFA Media: What are the Strategic Objectives of the FUFA Institute of Sports Management?
Kalema says:
- To provide accessible Sports courses that are relevant and responsive to the needs of the labor market in the Industry of Sport.
- To establish Uganda Professional Sports Institute as the leading resource for sports publications in Uganda.
- To develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure good governance and quality education service delivery.
- To develop and implement strategies to fund 100% of the Uganda Professional Sports Institute annual budget
FUFA Media: Which category are we targeting and how does FUFA get involved?
Kalema says:
- Graduates from different professions who are interested to serve in the sports industry.
- Existing sports administrators and technical personnel
- Under graduates willing to take on Sports management as a profession.
- International Students from the CECAFA region and Africa at large.
FUFA Media: What was the importance of Fagil Mandy’s visit at the FUFA Technical Centre over the weekend?
Kalema: FUFA is consulting with a senior Educationist, Mr. Fagil Mandy as a consultant expected to support the establishment of the Institute. (He will look at the infrastructure, curriculum, the human resource required as well as the standard operating procedures required for such a set up. Following several meetings with him, he suggested to visit the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru so that he can make his recommendations to National Council for Higher Education to expedite the process of acquiring the operational license.
Key points about FUFA’s Education Agenda 2021-2025
- Convert the FUFA Technical Centre into a fully-fledged ‘Uganda Professional Sports Institute’ licensed by the National Council for Higher Education to award Certificates, Diplomas and degrees in sports business, sports governance and sports technical.
- Develop the Uganda Football curriculum
- Secure teaching equipment and technology for the Centre
- Educate masses about football
- Undertake training programmes for football Human Resource
