JINJA: Women’s football in Uganda has urguably grown in lips and bounds in terms of success on the pitch in the last seven years, but that can not be said of the streams of income to the game whose immediate challenges now remain poor packaging, marketing and visibility among others.
The game’s local governing body – Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has ultimately made the initial step to providing a long lasting patch to these achilles of the women’s sport through capacity building, starting with journalists to champion the agenda.
Thirty five media officers (at club level) and reporters from the mainstream media have undergone a three days training in the latest trends of communication and marketing of women’s football in a workshop that closed on Friday at Fufa Technical Center.
“I am impressed with the turn up, Most of the clubs have been represented, and a good number of journalists from a number of media houses have turned up as well. Participants are more than thirty and that is a good number for the start, and we hope to have another one next year as we continue our league development program.”- Fufa women’s football development officer Joan Namusisi said on Friday.
Participants came from different corners of the country and they were offered various modules including: communications in football, laws of the game, pre-match, match day and post match activities, marketing in football, importance and role of media officers, media relations, and club identity.
They were also tipped on digital media, safety and security, ambassador programme, marketing girls and women’s football, match day experience, introduction to match organisation and FUFA and its development programmes.
“All they have to do now is to go back and use the knowledge they have attained to ensure coverage of women’s football increase, and we promise to make a follow up to enable them do the job well,” Namusisi retorted.
Her wishes rhymed well with Mr. Decolas Kiiza’s call to the participants. The Fufa executive committee member was one of the course instructors and he urged the participants to devote their efforts to improving the game.
“A student is a good as his teacher,” Kiiza said.
“Go out and do what you have been taught. If we continue to have what has been happening before this course, then we will have done nothing.”
“We have trained and expect you to use the knowledge you have learnt from here to enhance your own careers but most importantly, it should be used towards development of women’s football in Uganda.”
Mr. Rogers Mulindwa joined the closing function as the chief guest representing Fufa president Eng. Moses Magogo. His script did not sound any different from that of the former speakers as he also emphasized the need to transform what they have learnt into action.
“I want to ask you to walk out of this hall and let people see a difference in you starting tomorrow. Let somebody see you doing things differently but in a better and positive way,” he said.
“The federation is committed to training and sharing information with the people so that we can have a wider family of football that is going to help us make our country not only better on the continent on field but also off the field.”
Several participants from different clubs voiced their satisfaction with the course content and positioned the federation top for praises.
“I have learnt that we can use prominent but credible people as ambassadors to promote our clubs and women’s football.During the course, I picked interest in safety and security as well and I thank Fufa and urge them to continue providing these courses so that even women can continue to learn football,” said Amatullah Nakazibwe, media officer at Isra Soccer Academy.
Faridah Tomusange Nassejje, the media officer of Kawempe Muslim Ladies said she understood every bit of branding.
“I have come to know more about creating a club brand that speaks for itself. Some of us have been thinking that branding is just a matter of color or a logo but after the three days here, I have come to know that it’s beyond that, and one of the main things a club has to treat with great consideration. We thank Fufa for this course and we promise we shall implement what we have learnt from here”- said Faridah
Full list of participants
Aminah Namutebi, Aminah Babirye, Margret Trexsoner, Gloria Nicole Apio, Amatullah Nakazibwe, Faridah Tomusange Nassejje, Priscilla Namikka, Jazirah Kansiime, Judith Tuhirirwe, Hamuza Waiswa, Ali Ssewanyana, Swaib Mbuga, Sinan Rajub Ssenoga, Hamza Ssali, Isma Mivule, Hambali Majojo, Andrew Talenga, Edwin Waiswa, Shafic Mutebi, Haba Plan Uwizera, Hassan Kirunda, Steven Mayanja, Godfrey Kakungulu, Yona Omara, Joshua Bachwa Abwoli, Abbey Munwyevu, Collins Arop Stanslas, Phillip Dexer Muhumuza, Banur Kintu, Issa Ssempijja, Samuel Ochora Oryem, John Baptist Opua, Godfrey Nsingwire, Onyango Gilbert,Gladys Zawedde.
