UEFA Head of International Relations, Eva Pasquier is convinced that pitch maintenance equipment received by FUFA as part of the UEFA Assist programme will be put to proper use to improve football infrastructure in Uganda.
Pasquier who is in Uganda for the League Development Programme with FUFA and the Uganda Premier League clubs, made an official visit to FUFA Complex on Wednesday where she inspected the equipment that was donated by the European soccer governing body(UEFA) through the UEFA Assist programme.
Eva officially launched the second phase of the project which includes the acquisition of specialized pitch maintenance equipment for both the grass and artificial turf surfaces.
She flagged off the ceremony at Kadiba accompanied by FUFA CEO Edgar Watson in the presence of FUFA Football Development Director Ali Mwebe and FUFA Projects Manager Sumaya Kiwanuka Hood.
Mwebe explained that different equipment (8 in total) received aim at improving the state of football pitches in Uganda.
The list of equipment;
CASEIH Multi-functional Tractor
Ditchwitch C16X Trencher
Tractor driven Solid tine Aerator
AFT Sand bander Machine
Dennis Premier G860
Ride-on Mower 2
Wheel-to-Wheel Line Marker
Spring Tine brush for artificial and Grass pitches.
Before flagging off the equipment by igniting the tractor, Eva Pasquier said; ‘I am impressed that all the equipment is here in FUFA custody. I have no doubt that it will be put to proper use and support the clubs to make a positive impact on football pitches in Uganda.’
Edgar Watson expressed his gratitude to UEFA for the continued cooperation.
‘We are so grateful to UEFA for this special assistance. On our journey to be the Number one football Nation in Africa on and off the field, we need to focus on football development. The acquisition of pitch maintenance equipment is a huge effort to develop football on the pitch. Quality football at grassroots and elite levels require quality football pitches.’
As a way forward, FUFA and UEFA have discussed and agreed to organize a refresher course for grounds staff during the domestic football off season. They will build on what they learnt in 2019, the first ever capacity building course for Grounds Managers for clubs when 39 participants were trained in a 3 days course conducted by UEFA Expert Philip Fifield from England.
Fifield also conducted a nationwide specialized assessment of pitches used by Uganda Premier League Clubs before the training.
Mwebe has encouraged clubs to approach FUFA through the Projects Office to apply for use of the equipment on their pitch renovation and repair.
The process shall involve technical visits by FUFA team to assess the need before recommending appropriate equipment from the stock pile that will be deployed for improvement works.
About FUFA with the UEFA Assist programme
- FUFA applied for the programme in 2019 which has since followed with many great benefits to football in Uganda.
- Africa FAs General Secretaries workshop in Ethiopia
- FUFA Exco Retreat at Serena Hotel, Kigo
- Coaching course for women football coaches in Uganda
- FUFA secured the first ever Capacity building Course which led to training of 39 ground staff.
- Acquired specialized equipment support for improving infrastructure (pitches)
- Secured a League Development Programme for Uganda Premier League clubs- 5 day course ongoing at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.
The UEFA Assist offers a series of education and knowledge-sharing programmes that focus on two areas of development: operations and football.
