As the Uganda Women’s National Team, the Crested Cranes, prepared for their crucial Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier against Ethiopia, player safety became a central focus.
FUFA, in partnership with FIFA, has welcomed the ‘Suspect and Protect’ concussion awareness campaign, ensuring that all national teams are educated on the risks of head injuries in football.
At the Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisasi, FUFA’s Head of Medical, Dr. Apollo Ahimbisibwe, led an educational session on the dangers of concussions and the importance of recognizing symptoms early.
The campaign, launched in 2024 by FIFA in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to provide players, coaches, and medical personnel with essential knowledge to identify and manage concussions effectively.
“Football ought to be a sport that is safe and secure for all players. The concussion campaign is a step in the right direction of ensuring player safety. Everyone in the sport needs to recognize the signs of concussion, which can take up to 72 hours to appear,” Dr. Ahimbisibwe explained.
Crested Cranes defender Jolly Kobusinge welcomed the initiative, highlighting the need for awareness in high-stakes matches.
“We are glad that the campaign has given us a chance to learn more about how to manage concussion risks. Many times, we want to play and forget about our health in search of results,” she said.
According to FIFA, the ‘Suspect and Protect’ campaign focuses on increasing symptom recognition, emphasizing that symptoms may take days to develop, and providing clear guidelines on returning to play safely.
FUFA’s commitment ensures that all national teams, including junior sides, are equipped with the right knowledge.
Following its introduction to the senior women’s team, the initiative will now be extended to Uganda’s U17 men’s and women’s national teams, both currently in camp preparing for international competitions.
Clubs have also been lined up to receive similar training sessions, reinforcing FUFA’s commitment to player safety across all levels of the game.
