Afrobasket Tournament: National Basketball Team, Silverbacks Gets Government Funding

The national men’s basketball team, the Silverbacks is set to take part in the Afro Basket tournament in Kigali, Rwanda after securing funding from the Government.

The national council of sports Secretary General Dr. Bernard Ogwel handed over Ugx 340m to Mr Nasser Sserunjogi, (the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations) Fuba President to facilitate the team.

Earlier, there was concern from the Fuba President that the team would miss out on the tournament.

"The Uganda National Men's Basketball team (The Silverbacks) is on the verge of missing out on Africa's most prestigious tournament #Afrobasket2021 due to lack of funds," Mr Sserunjogi tweeted Sunday evening.

Moments later, the Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba said the team would be supported. 

"We shall support our great basketball players! I have spoken to Honourable @JanetMuseveni on this issue. She has promised to help," Gen Kainerugaba who himself played basketball in his youthful days tweeted.

Gen Kainerugaba is a strong supporter of sports in the country. He has recently directly or indirectly supported various sports teams including football, athletics, boxing among others.

Following the government funding, the team is now set to participate in the tournament which is their third straight Afrobasket qualification.