State Minister of Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, has accused certain technical officials of disregarding the significance of sports in Uganda. The contentious remarks were made during his appearance on NBS Sport This Evening, as he spoke on the state of Namboole Stadium.
Minister Ogwang’s comments come amidst mounting concerns over the delayed completion of renovation works at Namboole Stadium, Uganda, ‘s national stadium. The stadium’s refurbishment has been marred by delays, leading to uncertainty regarding the country’s ability to host international games.
During his interview, Minister Ogwang lamented what he perceives as a lack of appreciation for sports among certain technical personnel.
“Some of our technical people don’t understand the value of sport, no wonder it doesn’t get priority,” he said.
Ogwang further explained that the majority of Uganda’s population actively engages in sports, and the failure to prioritize its development could have far-reaching implications for the nation’s athletic prowess and socio-economic growth.
Namboole Stadium didn’t meet CAF’s standards during a recent inspection with concerns raised about lack of certain facilities on the ground.
Hon. Ogwang said that most of the facilities had already been procured and we’re awaiting payment before the suppliers would deliver them. He called upon the government to release the remaining UGX 17 Billion to allow swift completion of the works so that Uganda can be able to host international games.
Uganda is meant to host Botswana and Algeria on the 3rd and 10th of June 2024, respectively in the World Cup qualifiers.
