David GOMBE
The UPDF Engineering Brigade has begun works on the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) training pitches.
The State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang on behalf of Minister of Education and Sports First Lady Janet Museveni handed over the training pitches to be upgraded by UPDF at the function held at Makerere University ahead of next year’s AFCON.
“I officially commissioned the construction of the Makerere AFCON Training Ground Facility. A facility with all others that won’t be only for football but will have a running track and other courts for Volleyball, Netball and Basketball.”
“Additionally, I conducted the ground breaking ceremony for other Training facilities that is; Lira University AFCON Training Facility,
Pece AFCON Training Facility, Kyambogo Training Facility Phase two, Hoima Booma Grounds Training Facility, and Masindi Municipal Council Training Facility.” Said Ogwang
UPDF will work on seven grounds which Makerere University ground, Pece Stadium, Lira University, Gulu University, Hoima Booma Grounds, Masindi Municipal Council Stadium, and phase two at Kyambogo University.
Under the command of Lt.Col Peter Sseku Kidemuka, UPDF Engineering Brigade is expected to conclude works in eight months.
The Ugandan government will inject Shs19b in Kyambogo with phase two works to include tennis and basketball courts and a pavilion.Hoima, Gulu, Lira, Sir Tito Winy and Pece will cost Shs13.2b each while Masindi Stadium will take Shs20.2bn with the athletics running track set to be installed at the facility.
All the training pitches are to have hybrid grass like that at Mandela National Stadium and Kyambogo University ground.
Uganda will co-host the Continental showpiece along with Tanzania and Kenya between June to July next year.
Caf made a commitment to host Afcon mid-year from 2019 onwards, but the past three editions have been played in a January-February or December-January slot.
Staging the tournament during the European club season has led to disputes over release dates for players, and Afcon will be held every four years – instead of biennially from 2028.
