For the first time in a very long time, there were a multitude of fans who came specifically to watch Women’s basketball. There was a lot of singing, shouting and jumping and the game delivered drama. Peak women sports.

For the neutral fan, it was the perfect ending as there was a plot twist. For a Makerere Sparks fan, it was fun and sweet until it turned sour. Seeta High fans endured the rough start but ending was sweet.

Impact of fans

Seeta High was the first team to bring fans to the game. This happened in game 2 after they trailed 1-0 in the series. They managed to win that game and one thing that was pointed to was the impact of the fans.

In game three, the fans were a present once again. Seeta managed to win the game to take a 2-1 lead in the series. One of the things that was talked about after this game was that the Seeta High fans had gotten to the heads of Makerere Sparks players.

As thus, a call was made to the Makerere Sparks alumni and fans to come through. The aim was to get people behind the team and also counter the Seeta High fans. The result was incredible.

Makerere brought very many fans and past players and Seeta High did as they had done in the last 2 games. There was a lot of singing and the atmosphere was good. Very many people were emotionally invested in the game and this was unlike any Division One women’s game that we have seen in a very long time. The energy was contagious in a good way.

Makerere pushed for as long as they could but in the final minute of the game, Christine Namyalo finished them off. Her 3-point shot sent Seeta High to the National Basketball League.

Endless possibilities

What Seeta High and Makerere Sparks showed is that having fans around is possible. In our league, there are very many institutions but you barely see them bring fans. However, when the fans are needed, they can be brought. We saw that in this semifinal series. Seeta brought their students and administrators while Makerere brought a number of students. We also saw the UPDF Tomahawks bring fans in the 2024 playoffs. UCU Canons also brought fans that same year in a game which they needed to win.

What the can Federation learn from this?

Bringing fans was not the idea of the Federation but rather the teams. However, the Federation has to make sure that they ride in this wave. FUBA has to be intentional on encouraging administrations of institutions to facilitate fans. Visiting these schools, universities and organizations is important because they will feel that their contribution is being seen and felt.

In return, FUBA has to find a way of subsidizing the entry fees and also donating some gear, inviting the administrators for games, organizing clinics /camps in these institutions and more. If these administrators are treated with high esteem and shown what Basketball can do for them, perhaps they can be more open to promoting the game. This way, the love can go both ways with each member feeling valued.

Importance of fans

The fans can be able to make the atmosphere good. When the atmosphere and energy is good, sponsors can come in. Also, the players can feel like there are people that they are fighting for. This can make them give extra effort. Rivalries can also be created. When teams and fans are rivals, there is a lot of hype and excitement that comes with such games. Players rivalry alone is not enough.

For FUBA, these fans can translate into fans of the National team. They can buy merchandise, support business and also invest in the sport. All that helps in the eco-system of the sport.

What we saw with Seeta and Makerere fans was an eye opener of what is possible. There is a lot of belief that women sports don’t have as many fans. That was proved wrong last night. All people need is something to be attached to. If they find it and an environment has been put to keep them around, they will come again and again. However, if the Federation is not intentional on attracting and making sure to retain fans, Uganda basketball shall remain for the few, which is unsustainable.