Arua Hill in dire state as owner lures South Sudan, Arua businessmen to buy club

Arua Hill forward Isaac Ogwang celebrates a goal against Express last season.

TRANSFERS Arua Hill in dire state as owner lures South Sudan, Arua businessmen to buy club

Fred Mwambu • 08:24 - 18.07.2023

Arua Hill SC is yet to submit the full requirements of the FUFA Club Licensing as the owner looks for potential buyers to take over.

Arua Hill Sports Club’s future hangs in the balance as the current owner Joel Aita fights to beat time and sell the club to new owners.

A source from Arua confirmed the club president is in advance talks with businessmen from Arua and South Sudan to buy off the club.

“[Joel] Aita wants to sell off the team to some businessmen who have shown interest,” the source confirmed on condition of anonymity.

No Cayman ownership

There were media reports earlier this week that a certain overseas investment firm Cayman Global Ventures from the Cayman Islands, had shown interest, but it appears to be false.

The reports had suggested that Cayman was ready to buy about 49% of the shares to a tune of over shs.6 billion.

“There’s no such thing, but the deal [the South Sudan and Arua businessmen] could be sealed very soon because it is the key to the club’s survival at the moment; there’s a financial crisis that they need to sort urgently.

“If that doesn’t happen, then the club could pull out,” our source added.

When contacted, both the Club's chief executive officer Pius Bamwange and public relations officer, Adams Lematia (Otelul), were adamant that the club is only restructuring their model to concentrate more on the youth project.

Club Licensing

If Kongolo have any hope of retaining their status in the topflight next season, they must work hard and fast.

Another source at FUFA revealed that the club failed to beat the deadline for club licensing which was set for Monday evening.

She revealed that they had not submitted the primary requirements to get a license.

“We might have an issue like Kyetume again because they are yet to submit some primary requirements like their host ground for the season,” she revealed.

The club CEO Bamwange has refuted that and confirmed that they will play.

“We’re sorting a number of things, but we shall play in the league next season,” Bamwange said briefly.

Pulse Sports understands that their home ground at Barifa playgrounds is in a deplorable condition and couldn’t pass the licensing test.

Playing staff

Another option is to use Onduparaka’s Greenlight Stadium.

The club licensing also requires one to have a minimum number of contracted players for a club to receive either a permanent or provisional license.

Arua grappled with finances last season, a situation that has seen most of their dependable players, including captain Rashid Toha, leave for free after months without pay.

The club is struggling to attract new players to sign contracts with them.

It remains to be seen how the management will patch up the gaps to ensure the football-mad West Nile region doesn’t miss out on topflight football next season.

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