In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Uganda’s woodball team will not be traveling to the 9th Woodball World Cup Championship in Shaoxing, China. The Uganda Woodball Federation (UWbF) made the difficult decision to cancel the team’s participation due to a lack of funds, leaving players and supporters devastated.
Painful Blow to Players and Officials
The team, originally consisting of 16 members, was reduced to 12 just before the scheduled departure. For players like Tonny Sekyeene from Kampala University, the news was particularly painful. Sekyeene had even been excused from his university exams to focus on his first international trip, only to be informed at the last minute that the team would not be traveling.
The blow was delivered by Collins Ssemmanda, the General Secretary of UWbF, who broke the news at 10:50 PM on the eve of the team’s expected travel. “We shall not be traveling to China due to the fact that we have not been able to secure the funds that can enable us to compete at the World Cup,” he announced.
Fundraising Efforts Fall Short
Despite the Federation’s best efforts to raise funds, they fell short of the required amount for the trip. Contributions were secured from multiple sources, including the Chinese Embassy ($3,000), Uganda Prisons Services (UGX 21 million), and the National Lottery and Gaming Regulatory Authority (UGX 6 million). However, these contributions were insufficient to cover the high costs of air travel and other expenses.
Initially, the Federation had hoped the travel agent would accept a 20% cash down payment for the team’s travel, but this changed to 50% due to rising air ticket costs. With the team unable to raise the required funds, the trip had to be called off.
Government Prioritizes Football
The Federation’s disappointment was compounded by interactions with government officials. The Minister of Sports, Patrick Ogwang, reiterated that no additional funding could be allocated to the woodball team, as all resources were being directed toward the national football team and the completion of facilities for Uganda’s Pamoja Afcon bid. This decision left the woodball team without the financial backing they needed to compete in China.
Emotional Fallout
For the players, the news was not just a financial setback but an emotional blow. Many had spent weeks in camp, preparing for what would have been a significant moment in their careers. The final briefing at the UWbF offices had outlined plans for two batches of players to travel to China—one group to compete in the fairway competition on Saturday, followed by the rest on Monday. Unfortunately, those plans never materialized.
What’s Next for Uganda Woodball?
Despite this setback, the Uganda Woodball Federation remains committed to the growth and development of the sport in the country. Federation president Paul Mark Kayongo expressed his disappointment but reiterated the need to focus on future competitions and the continued promotion of woodball in Uganda.
While this chapter may be a difficult one for Uganda’s woodball community, the support of the public, corporate sponsors, and international partners will be crucial as the Federation looks to rebound and prepare for the next opportunity on the global stage.
Stay tuned for updates from the Uganda Woodball Federation as we continue to work toward the development of woodball both locally and internationally.