The second edition of the FUFA Drum tournament is set to kick off this weekend in different regions across the country.
FUFA Drum is an inter provincial tournament that pits the different provinces that form the Ugandan football association with the aim of promoting the game in different provinces as well as bringing the game of football closer to the masses.
With FUFA meeting the financial needs of the tournament, the inaugural FUFA Drum was marred by accusations that FUFA had failed to clear outstanding balances accruing from player and officials allowances plus the promised competition prize money.
But Rodgers Byamukama, FUFA Executive committee member and Chairman of the competition’s organising committee confirmed that all outstanding balances have been cleared by the Federation.
“FUFA President had promised that all outstanding payments were to be cleared before the start of this years edition and am happy to confirm that payments have been made to the different provinces bank accounts. I want to thank FUFA and the different stakeholders for a successfully seeing out the first edition. The second edition is now here and we are ready,” Byamukama told members of the Press.
The opening ceremony to this years edition will take place at Bishops Secondary School in Mukono under the theme ‘CELEBRATING OUR ANCESTRY’ as defending Champions Buganda region start their defence of the trophy by hosting Lango region. Buganda’s Prime minister Charles Peter Mayiga has been confirmed as the guest of honour for the event.
Byamukama also said players who registered under a certain region in the previous edition are not allowed to register under a different region this time around, before warning that clubs should adhere and allow their players represent their regions or risk facing disciplinary action.
“We set a rule last edition and we still maintain it. Clubs should allow players represent their regions or risk losing points as the player is banned for two games if they fail to honour games,” he said.
Buganda region made history by becoming the first winners of this tournament after defeating West Nile in the two leg finals 2-1.
This years edition will see a change in format as the group stages will be played on a home & away basis with the top two teams per group convening in a certain region for the latter stages of the tournament.
Fufa Drum Match Day one
Saturday
Buganda vs Lango Bishops SS Mukono – 4PM
Sunday
Busoga vs Tooro – Bugembe Stadium, Jinja
Kampala vs Rwenzori – Prisons Grounds Luzira, Kampala
West Nile vs Bunyoro – Green Light Stadium, Arua
Acholi vs Karamoja – Pece Stadium, Gulu
Ankole vs Sebei – Ntungamo
Bugisu vs Kigezi – Mbale
Bukedi vs Teso – Butaleja
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