The Masaza Cup committee is confident and positive that this year’s tournament will still go on despite the Covid19 pandemic.
The Committee Chairman Sulaiman Ssejjengo has once again said that the tourney will kick off just after the lockdown is lifted.
The Committee anticipates that the season will go underway possibly in October, and are ready to kickoff without fans.
On Friday, July 17, the Committee held a meeting at Bulange, Mengo to amend the rules for this year’s competition.
Masaza Cup, revived in 2004, is an annual football competition that is competed for by the 18 counties of the Buganda Kingdom.
“We have modified the rules and what next is to put them into practice,” said Ssejjengo. “We are going to start player registration and this process will be done online. Its an e-registration.”
“We are doing all this to see that tournament kicks off and also show the government and all the concerned that we are ready and well prepared to play while observing the Covid19 prevention protocols.”
Ssejjengo called on the fans to remain patient and continue supporting their teams despite that fact that they may just watch the games only on TV.
“The fans, this is the best time that your team needs you most. Its a difficult period and you will have to support your Ssaza financially. To the teams, they should try their best to observe these new guidelines.”
Teams have been asked to have CAF C licensed coaches and also have a full-time qualified doctor.
All players should play in the tournament for not more than four years – This is intended to encourage them to go and chase bigger dreams in top flight and also provide enough room for the new generation.
For the participating teams, a team has to confirm participation through writing and pledge to fulfil all the competition requirements.
The team must have to provide an email address, playground, realistic budget, code of conduct, organisation structure, pay Sh500,000 among other requirements to register.
“We have amended these rules depending on the old ones, we inquired from the stakeholders like FUFA, Sports Journalists, Ex Internationals and other stakeholders,” said rules and regulations committee member Frank Kyazze.
“We have done this to continue fulfilling the initial targets set when Kabaka was reviving this tournament which include bringing Unity and nurturing talent.”
Gomba Ssaza team chairman Mansur Kabugo expressed his team’s readiness to compete and obey the amended rules.
“We are okay with these rules and we trust the rules and regulations Committee, we are ready to work accordingly, we have given the needed feedback in the meeting where we felt not contented,” Kabugo said
“As Gomba, we started our preparations way before Covid19 pandemic hit especially with player scouting and recruitment.
“Playing without fans will not bother us because we have different sponsors, local leaders and an able committee. The fans play a big part but not much can be done due to the Covid19 pandemic yet football must go on.”
