President of the American Football Federation of Uganda (AFFU), Steven George Okeng recently led a delegation from the federation to the Office of the President and met with Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora (SPA/D) matters, Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi.
Among issues discussed by the two parties was the transformation of sports as a form of innovative diplomacy which Uganda can use to achieve its foreign policy vision, as the federation uses the same idea to develop the sport.
“We need to connect with Ugandans in the USA and all those who understand the sport. We believe the office of SPA/D is a huge office that could help us realise our highest potential of connecting with Ugandans that would love to help in the development of the game,” Okeng said after the visit.
Okeng adds that they are also looking at different Ugandans outside the USA who would still step in to have the game grow here in Uganda.
Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi has welcomed the idea and believes that sports diplomacy could boost the nation’s foreign policy.
“The transformation of sports diplomacy is key if the sector is to develop. We also need to have a form of innovative diplomacy which Uganda can use to achieve its foreign policy vision,” Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi said.
AFFU also plans to hold Exchange Programmes where they will have NFL (National Football League) players together with College Athletes from the USA come to Uganda and hold football camps across the Country in Partnership with PLAY60.
AFFU also intend to reach out to the US Embassy in Kampala to discuss issues of mutual interest in as far as American Football is concerned.
With the federation having held no competitive event in over a year because of Covid-19 disruptions, AFFU plans to send a team to the World Flag Football Champions slated for December this year in Israel. Team Uganda is currently preparing for the games and team selection will be done in October
