When Muzamir Mutyaba returns from CECAFA, he will be driving to training in a brand new car.
There has been a lot of debate on social media and sports talk shows about the who between Mutyaba and Geoffrey Sserunkuma was the deserved winner. The latter scored a season high 21 league goals, 4 crucial in KCCA’s journey on the continent which won him the UPL MVP award as well as the KCCA player of the year.
But after a stellar season for KCCA, Sserunkuma chose the money over numbers and made the move from local champions to Buildcon in Zambia. Its hard to fault him for making that kind of move because at his age, he doesn’t have much time left and he would rather look for a retirement package.
However, the choice for best male footballer comes at a time he is no longer part of the local league. Last year, there was an uproar after Muhammad Shaban took home the award ahead of Dennis Onyango who had been part of the dream run for Mamelodi Sundowns and the Uganda Cranes.
It’s clear from FUFA’s point of view that they want to promote local players and the local league. I want to agree with the same premise, taking away nothing from the abilities of all nominees, the local footballer is still unappreciated.
How many local lads afford a car from their meager earnings? Where is the pride in playing for SC Villa, KCCA or Vipers?
The awards can change this perception. When Mutyaba drives to training after CECAFA, he will be the envy of his mates, those who stay in his area code will wait for him to get lifts back home after training. This sounds petty but it’s truth of the matter.
Many local stars choose to play in other leagues for the money and not for career advancement. The Zambian league for all it’s money is so poor and neither Joseph Ochaya and Geoffrey Sserunkuma have looked different from when they were at KCCA. As a matter of fact Ochaya isn’t an automatic starter for the Cranes anymore and Derrick Nsibambi who is heir apparent to Sserunkuma at KCCA now leads the line for the Cranes.
It’s the mandate of FUFA to see to that it’s promoting local talent and players. If the hard work of local players can be rewarded in this kind (through cars), that is reward enough and it can only get better. If a player – despite his efforts in the previous season – decides to move abroad, he should lose the opportunity to compete for the main award.
FUFA can as well create a category for players outside of Uganda which can come with a plaque because clearly since they have money from playing in more professional leagues appreciation is enough. But in a room full of the best local players in the country if the award had gone to someone so far away that would have deflated efforts of local players.
However, as the other local players clapped for Mutyaba deep down they are certain come December next year they could be on the podium soaking in the same applause.
That is opinionated way of awarding the winner but if the principle is reward players who have tirelessly done well in the league then so be it.
