10 April 2009
UGANDA : Lakers pull out of MTN-Fuba league
by Sande Bashaija
Kampala
Victoria Lakers have pulled out of the MTN-Fuba League due to financial difficulties. “It’s unfortunate that our fans won’t get to watch us this season,” Lakers coach Sam Bahwayo told Daily Monitor yesterday.
Formed in 2007, Victoria Lakers finished second bottom in the 11-team women’s league but improved to seventh last season. “We had put in place a good recruitment strategy and the team was on good track.
But lack of sponsorship has put paid to all our plans,” added Bahwayo. In their first season, Lakers got sponsorship from Plan International and Family Planning Association of Uganda (FPAU) and were one of few local teams paying players training and match allowances.
“When our sponsors stopped giving us the money, motivating the players became a very big problem. At some stage towards the end of last season, players were no longer attending training sessions,” revealed the coach.
Besides the financial problems, Lakers have also lost most of their influential players to other leading sides.
“As of now, we are looking for sponsors and will return when our financial stand gets better. But Lakers will continue playing in local tournaments for continuity of the team,” noted Bahwayo.
Men’s Second Division outfit Bugema University has also pulled out, according to Bahwayo.
Meanwhile the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) has said the league will begin on April 25 although a venue is yet to be found.
Kampala
Victoria Lakers have pulled out of the MTN-Fuba League due to financial difficulties. “It’s unfortunate that our fans won’t get to watch us this season,” Lakers coach Sam Bahwayo told Daily Monitor yesterday.
Formed in 2007, Victoria Lakers finished second bottom in the 11-team women’s league but improved to seventh last season. “We had put in place a good recruitment strategy and the team was on good track.
But lack of sponsorship has put paid to all our plans,” added Bahwayo. In their first season, Lakers got sponsorship from Plan International and Family Planning Association of Uganda (FPAU) and were one of few local teams paying players training and match allowances.
“When our sponsors stopped giving us the money, motivating the players became a very big problem. At some stage towards the end of last season, players were no longer attending training sessions,” revealed the coach.
Besides the financial problems, Lakers have also lost most of their influential players to other leading sides.
“As of now, we are looking for sponsors and will return when our financial stand gets better. But Lakers will continue playing in local tournaments for continuity of the team,” noted Bahwayo.
Men’s Second Division outfit Bugema University has also pulled out, according to Bahwayo.
Meanwhile the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) has said the league will begin on April 25 although a venue is yet to be found.
# posted by afrbk : 16:47
