The National Netball team, (She Cranes) leaves for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania this afternoon for the Africa Senior Challenge Netball Championship.
The 17-man team was flagged off this morning by the Secretary General of the National Council of Sports (NCS), Jasper Aligawesa during a function at Lugogo.
The She Cranes, the 2011 All Africa gold medalists will face other nations like; Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and hosts Taifa Queens of Tanzania. “Although we trained for only five days, we are prepared and ready to bring this trophy home because we know each other so well,” said team captain Lillian Ajiyo.
Aligawesa asked the team to behave well while in Tanzania as they represent the 33 million Ugandans and also ensure they bring the trophy back home.
//Cue in; I am happy because …
Cue out; …They are the reigning champions,”//
The participating countries will also be ranked by the International Netball Federation who will send a representative to supervise the event.
Aligawesa told URN that it was unfortunate that the former members of the Uganda Netball Federation (UNF) who were kicked out of office by NCS had remained silent with the invitation letter for the Championship since September last year.
He added that although there is now an interim Committee in place to run Netball matters till the constitution is put in place and eventually elections take place the calendar will run as planned throughout the season.
John Bosco Masiko, chairman of the Interim Committee running Netball in the country thanked government through NCS for financing the trip for the She Cranes and hoped that the team wins the trophy. “We are very delighted that the government has continued to promote sports and with the Netball teal heading to Tanzania, I am sure they will carry out flag high,” added Masiko.
//Cue in;… We are at Council today……
Cue out;…..The contingent is of 17 people,”//
Players making the trip: Florence Nanyonga, Peace Proscovia, Meene Lukia, Carol Badara, Halima Nakacwa, Reachel nanyonga, Martha Soigi, Alice Nanteza, Hadija Nakabuye, Desire Birungi, Dorothy Tabia, Lillian Ajiyo (Captian)
Offcials: Fatia Kitaka (Team manager), Janet Nahamya, Vincent Kiwanuka (Coach), Harriet Kabuye (Umpire), Johnson Were, Rosette Kaala (Committee member Africa Netball Federation).
