Soltilo Bright Stars FC‘s request to have one of their next two fixtures adjusted due to congestion was denied by FUFA.
The Kavumba side play host to KCCA FC in the quarterfinals of the Uganda Cup on Sunday before traveling to Arua to tussle it out with Onduparaka FC in the league two days later.
“This is to inform you that due to the tight calendar, we are unable to postpone the above game (against KCCA) thus the match remains as per the fixtures,” a FUFA response partly reads.
However, Bright Stars is furious with FUFA questioning the basis for the decision.
The plight of Bright Stars
“After Sunday the boys will go home, we can’t train on Monday because it’s traveling day, rest a bit on Tuesday morning then a training session in the evening.” stated Bright Stars’ General Manager Harold Atukwatse.
“Those are not conditions for anyone to have football matches especially considering we didn’t play a single match in January and just two in February, and all the games are being lumped up now,” Atukwatse added in frustration.
“All that would have been forgivable if this had been planned well because the federation had all the information and time to fix this game earlier than 16th (Sunday).”
The real reason behind playing last
He further questions why other quarterfinal matches come earlier than theirs, even when it’s clearly the Match of the Round.
“People will say they needed to market it being the biggest match of the round, but Sunday ranks second to Saturday in terms of marketing a fixture.”
“So I don’t see why a game of this magnitude could not be put on Saturday or Friday.”
FUFA’s ineptitude?
He adds that the least FUFA could do was consult the clubs involved.
“I don’t see why we are not consulted. Why would they not reach out to us, because we need time to travel to Arua. It’s indeed very painful,” Atukwatse summed up.
FUFA continues to struggle with arranging fixtures in a way that doesn’t affect the direct stakeholders including the clubs, sponsors and fans.
By: Ivan Kaye
Courtesy Photos
