Uganda Cranes Fans day: Bebe Cool Joins campaign
A fan receives an autograph from Cranes Star Bengo
Top Ugandan musician Moses Sali a.k.a Bebe Cool on Saturday joined Uganda Cranes fans at KCC grounds Lugogo in Kampala as the national team players and their fans had a day out together.
The event dubbed ‘meet and greet’ in which Uganda Cranes Fans were interacting with the players was organized by Uganda Cranes Initiative (UCI) to galvanize support for the national team ahead of the CECAFA championship slated to begin Saturday 24th November.
The initiative aims to raise Shs 200m before the tournament kicks off on Saturday.
Bebe Cool made his presence felt by taking part in an exhibition football game between the Cranes and the fans’ select side.
Although he is a master of the stage, Bebe, an ardent Arsenal fan could not replicate that on the pitch when he failed to put the fans’ select side ahead with the game drawing 2 – 2 after missing a penalty.
However, Cranes cheer leader popularly known as Uncle Money showed he is not only good at stirring morale during games by scoring a goal to give the fans side a 3 – 2 lead before the Cranes equalized to force the game to a shootout.
The exhibition game was won by Uganda Cranes beating the fans’ select side 5 – 4 on penalties.
Hema water contirbuted 50 boxes of water and Shs 500,000 to the national side. Bebe Cool who is the face of Hema water handed over the items.
“I want to thank the organizers for championing this noble cause. We will never turn our backs on the boys who represent this country,” Bebe Cool said while handing over Hema Water’s contribution.
This was in addition to Vision Group’s Shs 30m, National Social Security Fund which contributed Shs 16.5m that will cater for the Cranes CECAFA kit, and SMS Media pledged to buy goalkeepers’ kits.
Meanwhile Ugandans living in Zambia have put their weight behind the Uganda Cranes Initiative (UCI) by making a financial contribution of $1,000 (Shs 2m).
“We are contributing $1,000 for our team, we wish them all the best,” said Eng. Ben Immanuel Misagga, chairman of the Zambia chapter.
Uganda Cranes Coach Bobby Williamson who attended the event hopes the score line does not extend to the CECAFA championship because it demonstrated defensive loopholes on the side of the national team while they were playing an uninexperienced fans’ side.
The national side entered residential camp on Saturday at the marvelous Rivonia Hotel in Mbuya which has offered subsidized accommodation to the team. Cranes begin defense of their CECAFA title on Saturday against bitter rivals Kenya.
Contributions to this initiative can be made through Mobile Money. The number is 0788 162 001 with the reason ‘Cranes’ or deposited directly to the following bank accounts in the name ‘New Vision Printing & Publishing Company Limited’ Standard Chartered Bank, Speke Road Branch (UGX) 0105610690400/USD 8705610690400 Stanbic Bank Corporate Branch, (UGX) 0140007506601/USD 0240007506601.
Cheques should be written out to ‘New Vision Printing & Publishing Company Limited’ while cash contributions will be received at the New Vision Offices on Plot 19/20 First Street, Industrial Area.
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Good initiatives, but that is how we encourage the government employee to steal money because they begin to think otherwise. There is Ministry of Education and Sports which should be having budget allocations for sports including supporting the Crane. If they have failed/refused to support the Crane, so be it – our contribution is already through the PAYE and other taxes we pay every month and day
James my brother you could be right, but games…football globally does not really depend so much on Govt funding.
Mention several wonderful teams and tournaments. Its not govt but individuals and civil society.
So please lets not kill this initiative.
I fully support this intiative.
Michael it doesn’t mean if other teams are not supported by their governments, ours shouldn’t contribute.Its precisely why such ministries are in place for projects such as these.In fact this should have been a corporate social responsibility for the Min of education and sports.Instead they keep going on and on shamelessly about how funds are insufficient.Excuses like low budget allocation should make you ask your superiors why they set up your ministry if they can’t even contribute 1/4 of the amount needed then request for accountability which is your right as a Ministry.
Good point James.