Lugogo Cricket Oval, Lugogo Indoor Stadium, National Hockey Stadium and Tennis Complex, all located in Lugogo have always been the centre of controversy between National Council of Sports (NCS) and sports associations/federations, who use these facilities on game days.
In some instances, council has always rented out the facilities in question hence forcing federations to put activities to a halt or find other alternatives.
For example; in December 2019 Lugogo Cricket Oval alongside Kyambogo Oval was to co-host the Africa Under 19 Girls Tournament.
However, the event was not held because the Lugogo turf was in terrible state having hosted a music concert days before the event.
Hockey Stadium and Indoor Stadium are sometimes rented out even on game days hence games are postponed or canceled.
However, the new NCS Chairman – Donald Rukare believes that though NCS intends to generate revenue by hiring out these facilities, they should make sport number one priority.
“The general principle is that for sports facilities, priority should be given to sports,” Rukare said.
“Multiple use of facilities is acceptable. However, we should work on time tabling, sequencing, prioritization of sports and above all maintenance of these facilities,” Rukare added.
In the post-lockdown age, Rukare now calls for a healthy co-existance between various events held at these facilities and sporting activities, but nothing should be at the expense of sports.
“You see, we have a lot of idle time. So, time should be sequenced for a healthy co-existance,” Rukare added.
All government sports facilities are currently idle following the continued ban on sports due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
