KAMPALA – Plascon – one of the leading paint manufactures in the country have officially joined bankers – Stanbic in funding the Uganda Cup in a two-year deal valued at Ugx132m.
The deal was announced on Friday during a press conference at held at the company’s head offices on 2nd Street, Industrial Area in Kampala.
At the press briefing which attracted several Fufa officials – including third Vice president and minister in Charge of Youth and Children, Ms Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi, Santosh Gumte – the Plascon Uganda Managing Director noted that deal was a confirmation of his company’s obligation towards promoting sports –football in particular in this country.
‘It’s is yet another opportunity to show our commitment towards supporting sports in Uganda. We recently signed a deal with Vipers SC, and also have a team in the rugby league.
‘We are proud to come on board as the official paint partner of a tournament that has been in existence since the 70s,’said Santosh.
Minister Nakiwala Kiyingi praised Plascon for identifying with Fufa, adding that their gesture would go a long way in helping he sport to develop.
‘This is good news for Ugandan football and as Fufa; we warmly welcome Plascon on board. The Stanbic Uganda Cup is (the second) prestigious tournament and it’s our hope that it will get better,” she noted.
Plascon’s coming on board means that there will be an increase in prize money for the next two years with winners taking home Ugx50m, an increase from Ugx30m.
Fufa Deputy CEO-Services, Humphrey Mandu said; “We are happy to welcome Plascon on board as the official paint partner of the Stanbic Uganda Cup. This is an indicator of the progress in our domestic competitions.”
On her side Fufa Competitions Director – Hajjat Aisha Nalule revealed that this year’s Stanbic Uganda Cup tournament will be staged under a changed format because of the challenges of Covid-19.
“We have made changes in the playing format and also reduced on the number of teams taking part in this year’s edition because of Covid-19.
“The tournament will start at the round of 32 with only teams from the Uganda Premier League and Fufa Big League taking part,’ confirmed Nalule, adding that matches will be played on a home and away format, save for the final, which will be a single game.
The 2021 Uganda Cup edition is expected to kick off on April 5, with the final planned for July 24, 2021 at a venue yet to be named.
The winner of the Stanbic Uganda Cup represents Uganda in the Caf Confederation Cup.
Sharing of the Prize-money (Ugx)
Winner – 50m
Finalist – 20m
Semifinalists – 12m each
Quarterfinalists –6m each
Round of 16 – 3m each
Round of 32 – 1.5m each