David GOMBE
The State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang has revealed that the management of KCCA Football Club declined to upgrades on Philip Omondi Stadium that would have enabled the facility to be used as a training venue for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations that will be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
While appearing before the Parliamentary Budget Committee, Ogwang stressesed that the facility had been listed as one of training grounds for the continental showpiece to be hosted in East Africa but CAF guided that a venue with natural grass would be suitable for the event.
“At the first phase of identifying training pitches for Afcon, Philip Omondi Stadium was among those we had selected,” Ogwang said.
“However, after further guidance from Caf, it was made clear that training facilities must have natural grass to qualify.”
Ogwang also confirmed that KCCA management declined to upgrade the Venue to a natural grass pitch
“We had an engagement with the management of KCCA Football Club, but they were not ready to allow Philip Omondi Stadium to be upgraded to have natural grass pitches,” he said.
“As government, we had to look for alternative venues that fit within the guidance given by the Confederation of African Football.”
Ogwang confirmed that Philip Omondi Stadium has since been dropped from the list of training facilities for Afcon-related works, noting that funds have already been released for other approved venues.
Gulu University, Lira University, Pece Stadium, Kyambogo University, Muteesa II Stadium, Makerere University and Fufa Kadiba are some of the training Venues for listed for the tournament.
