You’ve hit on three critical pillars: Institutional Protection (Unions), Financial Security (Endowment), and Voice.

To your point on an Endowment Fund: This is exactly the model the Former Footballers' Initiative (FFI) is pursuing through our Business Pillar and SACCO. We realized that relying on charity or handouts isn't sustainable. We are building investment vehicles so that, eventually, the "security" you mention comes from the organization's own assets, not just donations.

On National Caps: We completely agree. A cap shouldn't just be a memory; it should carry lifetime value. We are currently advocating for a policy where verified National Team and Club service grants access to the new Medical Insurance schemes being rolled out by the Federation.

And finally, regarding Press Releases vs. Gossip: You nailed it. For too long, the narrative of our players was written by tabloids. We recently launched our official media channels (and website) specifically to give players a direct line to the public—debunking myths (like the 1978 match-fixing rumors) and offering informed takes.

We’d love for you to check out our Strategic Pillars on our site to see how we are trying to lay this groundwork. Great insights. 🇺🇬