By Spy Uganda
Kampala: “Our one year in office has been characterized by a number of issues and challenges since day 1. Despite all that we have been able to make some progress.
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Achievements:
We successfully undertook 3 sporting calendar events, namely 2 Motor rallying event’s; NRC 1&2 as well as motocross 1 within weeks of holding office. While the organizing clubs were ready in advance, we were able to pull off round 1 of motocross despite lack of resources and the growing conflict within the motorcycling fraternity. Both NRC events were successfully run as well as MX round 1. We learnt a lot from these events indeed please find the report within your folders.
COVID-19 Relief: We were able to organize a Covid-19 Relief project for the motorsport fraternity where we provided foodstuff and free Ambulance services. This was possible through a united project involving FMU, clubs, organizations and individuals. marshals, officials and individuals benefited from this project. We are grateful to all those who came together to make this possible.
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Engaging NCS: Through NCS, we were able to engage MAU in open discussions in an attempt to find solutions to the issues they raised. We put our best foot forward to achieve a healthy conclusion for the good of motorsport with the guidance of NCS which also identified that FMU had better strategic intentions for the development of motorsport. To that effect, we are now involved in the national sports planning and budgeting framework which process will lead to increased funding from Government.
Populating commissions: We have successfully populated the marketing and sporting Commissions which are vital to the running of the sport. We have identified and included new faces with new ideas with intention of bringing vibrancy to motorsport. We believe the new sporting Commission will get clubs more involved in different aspects of motorsport as well as making the sport more exciting and more affordable. We have made the marketing commission pivotal in raising resources and rebranding motorsport and am happy to report that they are making good strides.
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Clearing FMU Debt: We were able to clear one of FMU’s Debts. We found a loan taken by FMU from Prime finance LTD, of 30million whose accruing interest resulted in a 76million debt. ExeCom agreed that it was owed and needed to be paid. ExCom decided that to raise funds for this and other debt, the three 2021FMU sprints would be Auctioned through the clubs. At the set price, we managed to get one bid of 60 million for the boxing-day sprint. On negotiation with Prime finance Ltd, the debt was cleared at 55 million and FMU is now Clear of that debt.
New Partnership: We have recently signed an MOU with Development Infrastructure Limited (D I), an Arua based firm that is interested in taking motorsport to West Nile. D I is providing 100% of the financial muscle to develop 30 acres of land to build a motorsport arena to cater for rallying, motocross, Karting and Drifting events while FUM shall own 10% shares from this project. We are also engaging different organizations in different regions of Uganda for similar partnerships as well as pursuing several organizations for long term partnerships. For further information of this Arua partnership please contact the General Secretary.
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Training: We conducted a training session for both time and safety marshals in safety and time marshalling where over 50 persons were given adequate and practical skills in safety and marshalling. This training room 3 days and we believe some capacity was built in that area which we can now tao on. We shall however have more refresher courses in the near future.
Developing SOP for motorsport: In line with NCS guidelines, we have developed our Standard Operating procedures to follow during this Covid-19 laden period. You are all aware that sports activities have been restricted for some time and their resumption is strictly based on adherence to laid down guidelines. Our SOP’s provide a latent framework to guide the direction of motorsport and it’s now incumbent upon us working with the club to ensure that we implement them.
Challenges:
COVID-19: This pandemic put a halt to all activities with the total lockdown and restriction of any social activities including sports. As a result, we were not able to accomplish planned activities set out for the year 2020. These affected activities included the rallying calendar, training programmes, consultations that involved mass gatherings among others. However, most of these have been pushed to 2021 and we now intend to achieve them.
MAU break away: In our first week of office, we were hit by a faction from the motorcycling community that divided our rallying family into pro and anti-FMU factions.
Since we were not aware of the background of the issues, and underlying tensions and friction within the motorcycling community, we chose to engage the splinter group to find solutions with the aid of a mediator, National Council of Sports (NCS) Much as we were willing to accommodate their concerns it turned out their motives were not entirely sincere”.
