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UEFA boss Aleksander Čeferin (R) talks to State Minister For Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang (L) and MP Asuman Basalirwa soon after his arrival in the VVIP Lounge of Entebbe International Airport. (Photo/NBS Sport)
The president of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), Mr. Aleksander Čeferin, is currently in Uganda for his second visit to the Pearl of Africa. This visit is at the official invitation of the Aliguma Foundation, aiming to make a significant impact on the less privileged through the beautiful game of football.
Welcome To The Pearl: UEFA boss Aleksander Čeferin (R) talks to State Minister For Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang (L) and MP Asuman Basalirwa soon after his arrival in the VVIP Lounge of Entebbe International Airport. (Photo/NBS Sport)
TOUR ITINERARY
Sunday February 11
· Arrival
· Press Interviews
· Dinner @ Serena Hotel, Kampala
Monday, February 12
· Visit To Joe Kigozi Football Academy
· Visit To Acholi Quarters & Other Aliguma Foundation Projects
· Interaction with slum children and football teams
· UEFA President Čeferin meets Vipers boss Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa
· Legends watch youth soccer games (Under 13 & Under 15)
· Parliament of Uganda vs UEFA Legends match at St Mary’s Kitende
· Photo Opportunities
Tuesday, February 13
· Departure for Masindi
· Commissioning of Works at Aliguma Foundation Sports & Empowerment Center (AFSEC)
· Kick of first ball at AFSEC Training Pitch
Wednesday, February 14
· Meetings with Government Officials
· Departure
Wearing his trademark grin, Čeferin arrived with Radenko Mijatović, the president of the Football Association of Slovenia.
VVIP Welcome: A high profile reception was earlier today accorded to UEFA boss Aleksander Čeferin (C) and Slovenia FA boss Radenko Mijatović at the Entebbe International Airport’s VVIP Lounge. (Photo/NBS Sport)
The distinguished guests were warmly welcomed by Aliguma Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ritah Aliguma, State Minister of Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang, and legislator Hon. Asuman Basalirwa, also a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bugiri Municipality at the Very Very Important Persons (VVIP) Lounge of Entebbe International Airport.
No love lost
After exchanging embraces and pleasantries, the quartet addressed the press during a short conference at the VVIP Lounge.
Čeferin expressed his happiness to be back in Uganda, stating, “I am happy to be back here, again. We are friends now. Tomorrow (February 12) between 2 to 6 pm, we shall not be friends because it is match time. We want to win,” followed by a light-hearted joke to the Parliament of Uganda Soccer Team.
“I am excited to return to Uganda to visit the football projects and see the wonderful people,” he added.
Memorabilia: A sacred souvenir in the memory of the charity match that will be played tomorrow between the Parliament of Uganda and the UEFA Legends. (Photo/AF Media)
Accompanying Čeferin are 22 UEFA Legends, scheduled to play a charity football match against the Parliament of Uganda at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, on February 12 (tomorrow). The proceeds from the match will support the ‘Boy & Girl-Child’ campaigns of the Aliguma Foundation.
Hon. Peter Ogwang welcomed Čeferin and mentioned; “We appreciate his love for Uganda. We look forward to a successful visit, and I will personally organise a meeting for him with the First Lady, Mama Janet Museveni. Feel free to tour the country.”
Activity-laden visit
The delegation was later hosted to dinner at Serena Hotel, Kampala, by the Rt Hon. Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and her deputy Thomas Tayebwa.
Unlike his brief visit last year, Čeferin has a packed schedule for the next 48 hours. He will visit the Joel Kigozi Football Academy and Acholi Quarters in Kireka-Banda on the morning of February 12. In the afternoon, he will captain the UEFA Legends team against the Parliament of Uganda in a highly anticipated match that will thrill and excite in equal measure.
Pristine Condition: St Mary’s Kitende Stadium officials alongside UEFA delegates and Aliguma Foundation CEO Ritah Aliguma inspect the stadium on Saturday, February 10th. (Photo/AF Media)
On Tuesday, February 13, Čeferin will travel to Masindi in Kinuuma Village – Bigando Parish, Miirya Sub-County to commission works at the Aliguma Foundation Sports & Empowerment Center (AFSEC) and kick the first ball at the center’s training football ground. The UEFA president and his team will depart the country on Wednesday, February 14, after meeting selected government leaders.
FULL DELEGATION TO UGANDA
Aleksander Čeferin, Robert Volk, Silvo Vrhovec, Mišo Brečko, Branko Ilić, Boštjan Cesar, Miran Pavlin, Milivoje Novaković, Radenko Mijatović, Luka Pavlin, Goran Barišić, Mitja Sojer, Andrej Vrhovec, Bojan Jokić, Milenko Aćimović, Gregor Šmajd, Robert Koren, Blažo Marojević, Branimir Ivka, Ivan Devčić, Jože Prelogar, Francesco Antonio Campagna, Goran Cvijanović