Ladies and gentlemen,
I extend a warm welcome to our esteemed guests, including the Managing Director, who is also our Patron, members from the governing body FUFA, representatives from Kitara, the champions, Kataka, and FUFA delegates. Today, we gather here to celebrate our achievement of joining the Uganda Premier League. Although it may appear simple, this journey has required immense effort from our team, management, and all stakeholders involved.
Our story as NEC FC has been well elaborated, but it is worth noting that in 2017, we recognized the importance of having a team. We believed it would not only contribute to the physical well-being of our staff but also serve as a unifying tool for the NEC family.
After numerous trials and friendly matches, we realized that engaging in football in a more organized manner was possible. Consequently, we registered the club with the governing body, and our journey, although relatively short, has been fascinating.
We have experienced various levels of competition, spending an average of one year in each division. As we reflect on our journey, we are grateful to God for the achievements and happiness we have experienced. Our team is firmly rooted in the foundation of faith, which has guided us and contributed to our success. We take great pride in our reliance on God.
Tonight, my role is to express gratitude to everyone who has joined us in celebrating this remarkable achievement. First and foremost, I would like to thank the NEC management, led by the board of directors. National Enterprise Cooperation, as the owner of the club, deserves our heartfelt appreciation. The board’s exceptional leadership has created an environment where we have been able to explore our potential in football.
I also extend my gratitude to the Managing Director, who serves as our Patron. Your counsel and guidance throughout our journey have been invaluable.
Our NEC family consists of top management and staff members, all of whom have played a significant role in our success. I would like to acknowledge the management team for NEC FC, which I have the honor of chairing. This team comprises dedicated individuals, including Vice Chairman Edgar, Makkah, who handles our finances with her auditing background, and Denis, who contributes to planning both at the cooperation and team levels. Additionally, Jemba, Abibu, and Dan Tumuhimbise from E-club have provided guidance to NEC FC on the management level, ensuring that the club is well-structured.
Furthermore, I would like to express my deep appreciation to our CEO, Sakali, who has been with the team since its inception, initially serving as our first coach.
Let us take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of the technical team of NEC FC, led by the head coach, Skills, and his dedicated colleagues. Your guidance and support have enabled our players to reach the level of success we are celebrating today.
Our maiden players, some of whom have been with us since 2017 and are still part of the team, deserve special recognition. Their hard work and dedication have played a crucial role in our achievement of joining the Uganda Premier League. We owe a great deal of gratitude to them for their efforts.
Our fans, the fourteenth player, deserve our utmost appreciation. To all the passionate supporters who have been with us from the beginning, I say, “Mwebale no mwebaliredda.” I would like to recognize the VAR team, led by Akena and their group, for their unwavering support of NEC FC since its inception.
The federation body, FUFA, has been our guiding force and regulator. We recognized the importance of proper registration and appreciate the representatives from FUFA who have guided us since our registration with the Nakawa District FA. Their presence here tonight is deeply valued, and we express our heartfelt gratitude for their guidance.
Football is an interesting game based on healthy competition, and we have made numerous friends along the way. I extend my gratitude to our colleagues from the Big League, where we competed with 16 teams. I can confidently say that all 16 teams are our friends. I thank them for the healthy competition they provided, and we are proud to have secured our promotion to the UPL by finishing among the top three.
Our achievements would not have been possible without the support of the media team. We express our gratitude to NBS SPORT and all the media houses that have accompanied us on this journey. Your contributions are invaluable, and we do not take them for granted. Most of our home games have been aired on the FUFA team, and we appreciate their cooperation and love. They have generously spared their own time and resources to cover our matches.
Lastly, I would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to our sponsors, including The Network Company, NEC Uzima, and others who have supported us. Your contributions have been essential in our growth and success.
In conclusion, I want to thank every one of you for being here to celebrate this significant achievement with us. Together, we have overcome challenges and achieved remarkable progress. I look forward to the future with optimism as we continue to thrive in the Uganda Premier League.
Thank you, and may God bless you all!