Stanbic Uganda Cup: Prize money rise as Kansai Plascon joins sponsors

Stanbic Uganda Cup prize money has been increased following a boost by Uganda’s leading paint company Kansai Plascon that was announced on Friday.

The winner of the 2020/21 edition will walk away with 50m shillings while the runner-up will take home 20m. The semi-finalists will each get 12m, the quarter-finalists 6m each while the teams that finish in the Round of 16 and Round of 32 will each get 3m and 1.5m respectively.

Speaking at the unveiling of their two-year sponsorship package worth UGX 132 million, Kansai Plascon Managing Director, Santosh Gunte said the company was excited to expand its support to sports in the country.

“As Uganda’s biggest paint company we are happy to be associated with Uganda’s biggest sport and biggest club football competition, the Stanbic Uganda Cup. We believe it will give us a platform to engage our consumers across the country and look forward to being able to grow the partnership,” Santosh said.

“As you are aware, Plascon also sponsors Vipers football club, Mongers rugby club and other activities and with this sponsorship of the Uganda Cup we are expanding our engagement across the country,” Santosh added.

During the press conference, FUFA competitions director Hajjat Aisha Nalule announced this season’s tournament changes and format due to the government covid-19 restrictions that are still in place.

“As we all know the Stanbic Uganda Cup is played across the country and across our league divisions from the First division to the Fifth division. Last season we had a record 191 football clubs competing with 157 playing in the preliminary stage across the eight football regions. However due to the government covid-19 restrictions that are still in place this 2020/21 season the competition will be played from the Round of 32 and will involve only the Premier League and Big League clubs.” FUFA Competitions Director Aisha Nalule said.

“Also for this season matches will be played home and away right from the Round of 32 except for the Final which shall be a single leg tie at a yet to be confirmed venue,” Ms. Nalule added.

The season kicks off on Monday 5thApril and will run till July.

The Stanbic Uganda Cup is Uganda’s biggest club football tournament played by teams across the Uganda football league system as well as non-league clubs.

A record 191 teams competed in the 2019/20 season with 157 playing at the preliminary stage. The 2019/20 season was cancelled and declared null and void due to government covid-19 restrictions.

Proline FC are defending champions (2018/19 season) after beating Bright Stars 5-4 on penalties to lift the trophy in Masaka. Proline were the first Big League team to lift the trophy and won the double that season.

KCCA FC and Express FC are the joint record holders of the Stanbic Uganda Cup. Each has won it 10 times with KCCA FC’s most recent win in 2018/19 while Express FC’s was in 2006/7.