Sports administrators and officials are often the unsung heroes but rarely receive recognition for their contributions.
Rarely do they have a sports project named after them while they are still alive. Late last month, former players and legends of KCCA FC paid a courtesy visit to club icon Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, also known as ‘Mister,’ to express their gratitude for the support and guidance he provided during their playing careers.
The meeting took place at Bidandi’s Kiwatule recreation centre. Bidandi is a former KCCA manager and coach. He struggled with illness a few years ago, but his health is now improving, albeit he has not yet fully recovered.
For one, KCCA board member Peter Kibazo noted that the visit was a token of gratitude for Bidandi’s significant contribution to the club and his unparalleled support for Ugandan football.
The now 87-year-old was happy to see some of the players he groomed as coaches in the seventies and eighties; these include Tom Lwanga, Paul Ssali, Sam Ssimbwa, George Nsimbe and Charles Senyange, among others.
It is a common thing in Uganda to honour legends when they are dead but since Bidandi is still with us, it is only logical for KCCA, Fufa and the National Council of Sports to move fast and do something for the man who dedicated his life to develop sports.
WHY BIDANDI SSALI IS SO SPECIAL
There is no doubt Bidandi is one of the most respected football administrators in the country. He served as a coach and team manager for KCCA from the late 1960s. Bidandi was instrumental in transforming the club from its inception to its current peak.
He guided KCCA to six major titles, besides moulding top prospects into players who later became the backbone of the Uganda Cranes team. Some of the players he helped groom include Jimmy Kirunda, Moses Nsereko, Phillip Omondi, Tom Lwanga, John Latigo, Fred Mugisha, Charles Katumba, George Mukasa, Charles Masiko, Sam Mugambe and Sam Musenze, among others.
The list also includes football administrators who passed through his hands such as Chris Rwanika, Jack Ibaale, Godfrey Kisekka, Abdul Rahman Hippo, Dr Timothy Mutesasira, Gideon Karyoko, Joe Sebugwawo and John Mutenda, among others.
During his tenure as Uganda Cranes team manager (1975 to 1985), Uganda participated in two Afcon tournaments (1976 and 1978), and The Cranes made it to the 1978 Afcon final in Ghana. This was the first and last time The Cranes reached the final of this biennial event.
Before the Ghana event, Uganda had won two Cecafa Cup titles (1976 and 1977) under Bidandi. He also coached the national team in 1982 and helped the side finish Cecafa Cup runners-up to Kenya.
On many occasions, Bidandi extended his administrative qualities to help other sports institutions when in need. In 1979, when the Uganda Netball Association (UNA) was unable to raise the necessary funds to send the She Cranes to the Netball World Cup, Bidandi intervened and raised funds for the team to travel to Trinidad & Tobago for the showpiece.
When government banned Ugandan sports teams from participating in international engagements in 1980, Bidandi persuaded the relevant authorities to allow Ugandan athletes to take part in the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. In 1981, political involvement caused Bidandi to be imprisoned by the government of the day, but while there, he brokered government’s release of some of army side Simba FC players who had been incarcerated after the fall of Idi Amin’s government in 1979.
In 1985, when rowdy sports officials and fans stormed NCS headquarters and chased all officials from offices, it was Bidandi who intervened and brought sanity to Lugogo by bringing both parties to an amicable solution.
In 1993, when Franco Mugabe took over leadership at SC Villa, he first went to Bidandi’s home for consultation and guidance on management skills. Bidandi is also credited with the welfare he extended to several players, whom he helped secure employment in some government and private institutions, as well as helping others construct their own houses.
I can go on and on, but that’s Bidandi for you!
hluzige@gmail.com
