Last season, it took the last two games of the Uganda Premier League (UPL) for the country to wake up and realize how close it was between SC Villa, Vipers and KCCA. The last two rounds provided some drama that lifted the UPL ratings after spending most of the season in hibernation.
From a marketing point of view, the league climax offered Fufa a crescendo to keep fans glued to local football but, to my big disappointment, the forces that run Ugandan football quickly returned to the relaxation mode.
Whereas Ugandan football fans continue to gauge the preparation of various teams for the upcoming English Premier League season on a daily basis, Fufa has no plans for the UPL whatsoever and is waiting till the last few days to the opening round of the new season to drum up the hype.
Yet now would be the perfect time for Fufa to showcase what it has in stock for the upcoming football season, especially in terms of improving the league's finesse and popularity.
For instance, what arrangement does Fufa intend to provide the UPL teams next season? Why should we, as stakeholders, look up to for the new season? What should we expect next season?
These concerns may sound a little premature but you only need to see how it is done in Europe to understand why fans need to be kept on the edge.
Already, top football websites are giving up-to-date info about next season's English Premier League, managerial changes, the transfer targets, the improvements on VAR, on top of welcoming bets for match results. There is never a dull moment for them.
As I write, Express' Allan Kayiwa finished the UPL as top-scorer with 13 goals but he is hardly known beyond the club diehards. On the other hand, Fufa would, at the very least, be looking into ways to improve the coaching standards in the UPL.
The off-season provides local coaches with more time and flexibility to invest in their professional development. This period is ideal for attending refresher courses, seminars, workshops, or coaching clinics. Coaches can update their knowledge, learn about the latest trends and tactics, and acquire new skills that can enhance their coaching abilities.
The largely unheralded Alex Isabirye did wonders to win Vipers the league and Uganda Cup double but we all know he is not built for the continent.
He and other UPL coaches would by now be attending refresher courses abroad to improve their craft. Isabirye and company are approaching the international coaching standard and the task ahead is for Fufa to prepare them with as many refresher courses as possible to nurture their skills.
Coaches, with their brand of football, play a big role to keep the league vibrant and should always be exposed to the latest techniques at the top level of the game instead of regurgitating the same things they coached earlier.
What's more, Fufa should have already identified the top 50 players from the UPL and provided them with a platform to prove themselves.
For Ugandan football to grow, we need players who are brands in their own self. Unfortunately, Fufa has made it impossible for players to thrive and what we have are players who act like workers of Fufa with no esteem to build their image rights.
This becomes very detrimental for the development of the game because world over, the sport grows on individual stars, the very reason Americans and Saudis have invested millions of dollars to acquire Lionel Messi, on one hand, and Ronald and now Karim Benzema, on the other.
As yourself, which UPL star can attract a following when he walks on Kampala streets?
The author is SC Villa first vice president
