- The Ugandan government has given the team Sh66mn
- The team had threatened to withdraw from CHAN
- They have already started preparations
The Ugandan government has released a sum of 2bn UGX (Approx Sh66mn) to the Uganda Cranes to help them prepare for the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled for next month in Algeria.
Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) president Moses Magogo had earlier on threatened that the team would withdraw from the continental competition due to luck of funds, but now, the government has moved with speed to finance their preparations.
Part of the funds will also help in settlement of arrears accrued as a result of the team’s earlier international engagements.
FUFA is allocated UGX 17Bn (Approx Sh562mn) in the Annual National Budget but only UGX 4.8 Bn (Approx Sh159mn) has been disbursed.
Thank the government for the support
Uganda Cranes during a training session.
“I thank the Government of Uganda led by HE President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni , First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Mama Janet Museveni, Parliament of Uganda, Ministry of Finance, Minister of State for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang, National Council of Sports and various Government organs for playing a key role in the release of the funds,” said FUFA President Magogo .
He added; “We are glad to receive this timely support from Government as the Uganda Cranes CHAN Squad is already in camp preparing for CHAN Finals due next month in Algeria.”
The Cranes fly out on 1st January 2023 for build up matches in Tunisia before connecting to Algeria.
The team has been training in Kampala since last week to boost their preparations for the tournament specifically tailored for local based players.
Head coach Milutin Sredojevic says he is pleased with the players’ levels of fitness and their determination to work as they look to perform well in the Continental competition.
Started the journey to CHAN
Uganda coach Milutin Sredojevic
“We have started on our journey of playing at CHAN in Algeria and knowing that we have a short period left, we want to use every opportunity to address several aspects. This is the first stage of our preparations with a local camp here in Uganda before going for another camp in Tunisia that will have friendly matches before playing at the final tournament,” the coach said.
Micho also stated that unlike the qualifying phase where players were coming from off-season, this time the fitness levels are not a concern.
“I remember when we were preparing for Tanzania in August, we needed more time because the League was off but I’m glad that basing on the first session, the physical and fitness state of players is okay and we will focus on areas that need address,” the coach said.
Uganda have been drawn against DR Congo, Ivory Coast and Senegal in group B.
Uganda has qualified for every edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) apart from the inaugural edition in 2009, but have never progressed past the group stages.
As they prepare to play the tournament for the sixth time in Algeria, the Ugandans have only one mission in mind, to ink their best ever performance in the tournament.
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