The Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, the Rt. Hon. Anita Among has promised personal and Government support towards the women’s senior national football team, Crested Cranes.
While officially receiving the victorious Crested Cranes from Ethiopia at her residence in Nakasero, Among said that she will personally support the team or lobby for government support for the same.
“You have done the country proud by qualifying to the next round. I bring you greetings and congratulations from the Parliament of Uganda and I promise that I will personally continue to support you,” she said.
She also passed on encouraging remarks to the female footballers and promised more funding from Government towards Women’s Football.
“If you work hard you will achieve whatever you want. We also started like you and here we are, so keep working hard.”
The Deputy Speaker then handed each player a token of appreciation worth $200 and wished them success against Kenya.
FUFA President, Hon. Moses Hassim Magogo, who also attended the dinner praised the team for a job well done and promised that the Federation will give all necessary support to help them qualify to Africa Women Cup of Nations.
“It is our mandate as a Federation that we have National Teams competing at the highest level and we are proud of the job you have done so far. We promise more support in the next level and hopefully overcome Kenya and qualify to AWCON.”
19 of the 20 players returned to Uganda with midfielder Joan Nabirye having travelled direct from Addis Ababa to Nairobi to join her club Vihiga Queens that is preparing to participate in the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League.
On return, Asia Nakibuuka, Shamirah Nalugya, Daphine Nyayenga, Sumaya Komuntale, Magret Kunihira and Fauzia Najjemba travelled to Njeru to join the U20 Women’s National Team that is preparing to play at CECAFA U20 Women’s Championship.
Striker Juliet Nalukenge will travel to Cyprus to get back to club duties at Apollon Ladies FC.
Crested Cranes will now shift focus to CECAFA Senior Women’s Challenge Cup that will be played in December in Djibouti.
