The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
#UPL Uganda ?? #Day1 Tuesday September 12, 2017
SC Villa Vs Soana – Masaka Live on Azam One 4.00pm
KCCA Vs Maroons – Lugogo
Bul Vs Mbarara City – Kakindu
Bright Stars Vs Vipers – Matugga
Masavu Vs Police – Bugonga
Onduparaka Vs Proline – Arua
Wednesday September 13, 2017
Express Vs Kirinya Jinja SS – Wankulukuku
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The number of teams that have unveiled new players, new kit and plans to boost their fans base this year indicates the 2017/18 Azam Uganda Premier League that kicks-off on Tuesday could be one of the most competitive.
“Club football is eventually picking the gospel we started in 2006, that is to professionalise. This will now trigger commercialization so that Ugandan football takes its deserved front seat as an advertising vehicle,” said Federation of Uganda Football Associations FUFA president Eng. Moses Magogo ahead of today’s opening matches.
The big guns SC Villa, champions KCCA, Express and Vipers have given a professional touch to their build-up to the season, with pre-season friendlies followed by new-kit and new-players unveiling. Season tickets are the other attraction being offered as a way of ensuring the stadiums are packed all season.
The likes of Onduparaka in Arua and Bright Stars have also shown intent to match the ‘big boys’.
The build-up to the new season has pleased Magogo. “We need to see deliberate efforts to recruit fans in numbers,” said Magogo, indicating that those number can easily be translated into steady revenue for Ugandan football clubs.
“This will eventually tap into the over sh700billion available Ugandan advertising basket through big volume club football sponsorships,” Magogo added, before warning “Whereas we are now getting to talk, let us actually walk the talk through the season. Pressers, pictures and graphics are one thing, but running a pro club is another.”
“Pro clubs are only successful with numbers of fans to balance the finance equation. Money must be coming from numbers of fans as gate collections (season tickets), buying genuine club merchandise and corporate sponsors targeting fans not money from individuals or organisations.”
Big guns target winning start as league kicks off
Big guns SC Villa and KCCA start at home whilst Vipers will be away on Tuesday when the league kicks off with either targeting a bright start, reports UPL.CO.UG.
At Masaka, record league winners SC Villa begin the hunt for the elusive 17th title with an affair against Shafik Bisaso coached Soana.
The centre of attention will be on Bisaso who was sacked at Villa Park before being replaced by Bbosa and thus will have a big point to prove against his former employers.
The hosts will look to new signings Simon Sserunkuma, Allan Kyambadde and Mahad Kakooza for inspiration but may miss midfielder Nicholas Kakooza due to delay in registration.
The visitors have former SC Villa attacker Emmanuel Kalyowa to look up to.
