The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has introduced an initiative to improve player health and performance with the launch of the FUFA Players Injuries Surveillance Project.
This project, falling under the FUFA PRO-FOOTBALL pillar of the FUFA Technical Master Plan, emphasizes the importance of sports medicine in Ugandan football.
“The field of Sports Medicine is crucial in modern football,” said Dr. Apollo Ahimbisibwe, FUFA Head of Football Medical Services and Executive Committee Member. “This project aims to enhance player health, ultimately leading to optimal performance on the pitch.”
The project will primarily focus on collecting data from injuries sustained during matches and training sessions across four key Ugandan football leagues: the 1st Divisions Men and Women, the 2nd Division Men, and the Stanbic Uganda Cup.
FUFA has incorporated a new requirement into their Competition Rules (Article 38(5)) mandating medical personnel from participating clubs to submit injury surveillance data using specific forms provided by the association.
Failure to comply with this regulation may result in sanctions for both the club and the registered medical professional, as outlined in the FUFA Ethics Code.
To facilitate data collection and ensure regulatory compliance, FUFA has developed an online platform specifically designed for clubs’ Heads of Medical Services.
This platform allows medical personnel to easily fill out and submit the required injury data electronically.
By collecting and analyzing injury data, FUFA hopes to gain valuable insights into player health trends and develop preventative measures to reduce injuries.