President Yoweri Museveni has said that games train and prepare people for peaceful competition. 

He made the remarks last evening (Monday) at State House Entebbe where he hosted the Uganda Cranes football team after their return home from the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) football games in Cairo, Egypt. He hosted them to a luncheon and congratulated the national team for qualifying among the top 16 teams out of 53 in Africa, which took part in the tournament.

“I congratulate you for qualifying among the top 16 teams out of 53 in Africa that participated in the contest. You should always bear in mind the stamina that enables you to compete favourably. You need to be organized, coordinated and put pressure on the opponent team,” he said.

The Uganda Cranes’ participation in the ongoing AFCON football games from which the Cranes were ejected, marked the team’s 1st appearance in the competitions for the first time in 39 years. The President observed that games bring unity in the country and that it was not good to bring partisan politics in games. 

He pledged a donation of US$1 million for both the players and officials. He reminded them that as sports people, they must be disciplined by observing the practice of no alcohol and avoiding promiscuity. He noted that the Uganda Cranes team has made reasonable success and admired the fitness stature of the youth who compose the Uganda Cranes team. 

President Museveni said football and other games at large are medicinal to our health adding that games provide the arena for training participants in peaceful competition. He further remarked that games train the body, mind and character of the players on top of entertainment, a situation that leads to income generation as well.

State Minister for Sports, Mr. Charles Bakabulindi, thanked President Museveni for supporting the Uganda Cranes in the AFCON competition.

Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) boss, Mr. Moses Magogo noted that the Uganda Cranes had qualified for AFCON because of the President’s efforts while Team Captain, Denis Onyango, noted the President’s support had motivated them immensely.

ENDS