StarTimes Uganda Premier League were the biggest beneficiaries as FUFA launched the official ball for all its competitions at Fufa House in Mengo on Friday.
Each Premier League side received 25 balls from the FA on the day with five set to benefit the Junior teams.
The match ball dubbed Zakayo in celebration of heritage as explained by Fufa CEO Edgar Watson has been designed to meet the required standards and tested on different pitches.
“The FUFA Match ball was made with consideration of our heritage as Ugandans. The official name of the ball is Zakayo, a legendary chimpanzee whose story dates back to 1963 in Semliki l National Park but later transferred to Entebbe Zoo where he lived until he died in 2018.
“The ball has been made with consideration of the latest trends in terms of texture, design, durability and flight.”
Zakayo has patches of the three colours of the Uganda flag. Black, yellow and red stand for Ethnicity, Abundant sunshine and Brotherhood.
The texture on the ball’s outer skin is designed to offer consistent flight, rate of spin and speed.
Janzi, the Sportswear Manufacturer
At the same function, the FUFA president Moses Magogo revealed the launch of Janzi, the official sportswear manufacturer insisting that this will cut costs.
“As FUFA, we are always innovative and today we unveil to you, Janzi, the official Sportswear Manufacturer of all FUFA sports gear and assortments,” stated Magogo.
“Janzi is a registered trademark that will help FUFA to avoid middlemen. We all know that several kit manufacturers don’t own factories but only package and sell to us. We believe having our own brand will help us to get these items at a cheaper price.”
Janzi is also the company behind the production of Zakayo but also does produce jerseys, travel bags, tracksuits, caps, hats, branded cups, umbrellas etc.
Zakayo Costs
Watson also revealed that 𝗭𝗮𝗸𝗮𝘆𝗼 will cost Ushs 50,000 and Ushs 100,000 because it has been produced in two categories.
UPL Chairperson Arinaitwe Rugyendo and CEO Bernard Bainamani were among the several guests at the launch along with club chairpersons, players (ex- and current), the media, and FUFA Executive Committee members.
