President Museveni says FIFA has confidence in Uganda

   ENTEBBE, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said the world football governing body (FIFA) has confidence in his country.

   Museveni was speaking at his State House in Entebbe on Monday while officially receiving the FIFA World Cup trophy which arrived from Cape Town, South Africa. "FIFA has a lot of confidence in the way we are managing football affairs in the country and that is why we are among the few African countries to receive this trophy," said Museveni.

   He also said he is proud of the national football team, Cranes who came close to qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Museveni said that although it might take a few years for the Cranes to qualify for the World Cup, they will make it one day.

   "I congratulate Uganda Cranes the job well done in the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers," said the President who also hinted on how the government appreciates and supports sports and football in general.

   Charles Bakkabulindi, the State Sports Minister thanked FIFA for considering Uganda among the 51 countries and regions in the whole world to receive the FIFA World Cup trophy.

   The ambassador of Russia in Uganda H.E. Alexander Dmitrievich Polyakov, Uganda's Foreign Affairs minister Ruhakana Rugunda, FUFA President and also the CAF Executive Committee member Moses Magogo, other government ministers, ministry of education and sports officials also attended the event in Entebbe.

   The FIFA World Cup trophy tour kicked off last September in host country Russia and will visit more than 50 countries and regions across six continents, traveling 126,000 kilometers in nine months in the lead-up to the football tournament.

   This year's FIFA World Cup will be held from June 14-July 15 in Russia. Africa will be represented by Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco. Enditem