Monday, December 5, 2016 NEW VISION VISION SPORT 67 Vision Sport OPINION BY SAMSON OPUS SUB EDITOR Give technical people the mandate to vote et me fi rst and foremost congratulate On- duparaka FC striker Muhammad Shaban for Lscooping the Airtel-FUFA Male Soccer Player of the Year Award on Friday. It was no mean feat for the budding soccer player considering the other contenders he beat for the top prize. Onduparaka FC striker Muhammad Shaban left many surprised after beating favourite Dennis Onyango to the Airtel-FUFA men’s MVP award However, that said, the way the vote was con- ducted left a lot to be desired. Local soccer body, FUFA, heavily relied on soccer fans to determine the choice of the awards —a decision that in my opinion wasn’t right. Let’s appreciate Rugby Cranes players In most cases, fans rely on sentiments when he Rugby Cranes were over- Cranes players are the proverbial over- casting their vote. And looking at the fan base that whelmed on day one of the milked cow. The sacrifi ces those young Onduparaka command, Shaban was always going Dubai Rugby Series on Friday men (and for that matter women) make to have the edge. but that should not take away on behalf of the country, the risks they theT pride we all should have in Eric take for the national fl ag are simply too Going forward, FUFA should borrow a leaf from Kasiita’s men. high. Yes, some of them live on the sport the way the world body FIFA handles its business That the Cranes was one of only but a large percentage don’t. to lend credibility to the awards. The FIFA player three African countries in the 16-team Truth is many of them would be better of the year award relies on the vote of technical HSBC World Rugby Seven Series is an off investing their energies elsewhere. experts including managers and coaches. achievement not to be taken lightly even Because it’s not just that rugby is not as if the heavy defeats on Friday left many rewarding in Uganda as other countries, No wonder there were many surprised faces local rugby followers doing just that. it’s that the sports authorities who can at Speke Resort Munyonyo as Uganda Olympic The reality is sports is a very honest bring change are moving at snail speed Committee (UOC) president William Blick read out trade, rewarding not your expectations if not backward. so much as your efforts and investment. Success at international engagements Shaban’s name at the awards dinner. The notion that the Rugby Cranes were like the HSBC World Rugby Seven Series That a great section of the audience looked on in going to shine in Dubai was always an is the result of a long chain of contribu- disbelief was an indication that the vote did not go illusion therefore. tors, some more vital than others. The down well. The Cranes were competing against Charles Mutebi: government, love it or hate it, falls among teams with many times their fi nancial re- the vital actors. On paper, Shaban looked an underdog as he ran sources, experience, coaching, nutrition The private sector is important too but alongside Uganda Cranes reliable keeper Denis and training facilities. How then were the I SAY SO its role is complementary and usually Onyango and striker Farouk Miya, Joseph Ochaya Cranes going to beat them? introduced at the more advanced stages and Erisa Ssekisambu. Unless, of course, Tolbert Onyango’s in large supply in Uganda’s amateur/ of the cycle. That means the Ministry of 12-man squad contains real-life super- semi-professional rugby setup. Which is Education and Sports needs to do more Onyango was the top contender for the award go- heroes like Mister Fantastic and Thing not the case for the South Africans who than just spending the few billion shil- ing by his tangible achievements this year. that the rest of us don’t know about. thrashed Uganda 46-0 or the Americans lings allocated to sports annually. Apart from helping Cranes qualify for the historic Otherwise, the Cranes did exactly what and Scottish, who beat the Cranes 29-7 It needs to be directly involved in the Africa Nations Cup in Gabon next year, Onyango they were capable of doing. and 35-14 respectively. promotion of a national sports culture Yes the Cranes were guilty of many so- Rugby is one of the most physically that would, among other things, lead to also guided Sundowns to the CAF Champions called school-boy errors but, in any case, gruelling sports and even some of its success at international events. Build- League title. He is also among the players vying for the difference between the best rugby laws don’t allow for contests where a ing a sports culture requires a plan for the Africa-based best players award. nations and Uganda is largely in the team fails to meet the physical standards the communities, schools, universities, FUFA should seriously consider involving ex- quality of rugby education their players of certain positions. If any such laws league and fi nally the national teams. gain from an early age. were in place in Sevens Rugby, you get Without that it will take the likes of perts in deciding the vote in future. This is the Repetition is key in all sports but the feeling the Cranes might have re- Mister Fantastic to save Uganda from only qualitative measure that will ensure credible repetition takes time and time means quired extra clearance before facing the more heavy defeats on the international results in the exercise. money and money is obviously not South Africans. All this means is Rugby stage. YOUR LETTERS Send your correspondence to: The Letters Editor, The New Vision, P.O. Box 9815, Kampala; or sports@ newvision.co.ug; or deliver directly to the newspaper’s headquarters on Plot 19/21 First Street, Industrial Area, Kampala Is Cranes in crisis? Bunyoro’s amasaza EDITOR — Uganda finally qualified for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations after a long wait of 38 needs mobilisation years. Before 1978, Uganda had participated in at least five similar competitions before. EDITOR - The 5th edition of the Amasaza ga Our qualification seems to have come as a Bunyoro football tournament ended success- surprise to FUFA who are now looking for fully at Sir Tito Owinyi stadium in Hoima on funds from various sources including govern- Saturday thanks to sponsors CNOOC. ment. But the number of fans who watched the It has been a regular occurrence for most finals left a lot to be desired. teams and some of our opponents in Gabon. I The fans were few and not befitting of such a The year was 2003....Sports minsiter Okello Oryem briefing athletes haven’t heard of those nations going into simi- climax. I call upon the organisers to ensure, lar fundraising drives for the team like we next time enough mobilization is done or the intend to do here. Government should support finals are played where there is a bigger fan From the Past the Cranes as we head to Gabon. base. Sports State Minister, Henry Okello Oryem Uganda at the All Africa games on return at Joseph Ssenvuma Edward Isingoma (R) addresses athletes who represented Grand Imperial hotel on October 21, 2003. Kampala HOIMA.