USL boss impressed with progress
Uganda Super League (USL) board chairman Julius Kavuma Kabenge is impressed with the competition’s progress since clubs took to managing it themselves.
The USL clubs started running the professional aspiring league on their own, hitherto managed by the local FA – Fufa - in the 2010/11 season but it was not until the following campaign that it made great leaps and bounds.
It is in that season that SuperSport International penned a five-year broadcast deal worth $5m with the USL and Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) agreed to a Shs2.2b three-year title sponsorship deal.
In his New Year’s message, a satisfied Kabenge thanked all the sponsors and clubs for playing their part in the development of the game of football and set sights for even bigger things.
“It was in this (2011/12) season that we had some of our league matches televised live on SuperSport for the first time in the history of Ugandan football,” said Kabenge.
“The title winner being determined on the final day was also another breath taking moment for the league.”
Express clinched their first league title in 16 years with URA and Bunnamwaya having all entered the final day with a chance to lifting it.
This season’s first round will end January 19 and will have a total of 55 matches played out of the scheduled 110 for the 2012/13 campaign. Of these, seven matches have been televised live on SuperSport so far.
“SuperSport has delivered on part of the sponsorship contract by paying the fees,” explained Kabenge, adding, “Bell Lager, the title sponsors, paid the contracted fees, delivered club kits for all the clubs (two sets each), footballs and drinking water(60 cartons to each club).
“USLL has (also) honoured its part by organizing the matches and ensuring a fair participatory season.”
Among other things the USL intends to work on this year, according to Kabenge, include putting in place a proper player contracting system which will be respected by all parties. This will be done during the window period of January 2013.
