The Uganda netball national team jettedout of the country on Friday evening for the netball world cup that is set to take centre stage from 12th – 21st of July, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
The East African side qualified for the world cup in August, 2018 after beating Zambia 64 – 52 at the International Youth Olympic Center in Lusaka to book their third netball world cup ticket, having had their maiden appearance in 1979 in Trindad and Tobago (13 position) and then the 2015 Netball World Cup held in Australia where they came in 8th position.
The first lady and minister for education and sports Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni flagged off the team at the Nakasero based state house. The team that consists of 13 players and 8 officials will be accommodated at Holiday Express hotel which is 10 minutes ride away from the venue.
The 13 player team include; Muhaimina Namuwaya, Jesca Achan, Rachael Nanyonga, Joan Nampungu, Peace Proscovia, Lillian Ajio, Sylvia Nanyonga, Irene Eyaru, Betty Kiiza, Stella Oyela, Ruth Meeme, Mary Nuba, Stella Nanfuka.
The head of delegation for team uganda is the general secretary of the national council of sports (NCS) Dr.Patrick Benerd Ogwal who will represent the government, the other officials are; Alweny Alice, JamesBogere, Vincent Kiwanuka, Wilberforce Mutete, Imelda Nyongesa, Lina Okee, Stephen Ataro, Ucanda Joceyln.
Ugx 10 million allowance was offered by the government to each player and official as a token of appreciation for representing the country at the netball world cup and promised that other declarations will be made to motivate players as they progress to different stages in the campaign.
The government in a statement noted that, “All funds of team Uganda have been met by the government of Uganda, the funds will cover meals, accomodation, air tickets, allowances and other contingency expenses of the team.“
The Uganda Netball Federation had agreed to pay each player $8000 (approx. 29m) at their Annual General Meeting (AGM) that was held in April and an additional shs.30,000 of their daily training facilitation for three months was in vain.
Nile post unserstood that the budget for the she–cranes was as follows; Residential and Non residentialtraining, Shs.347m, Training equipment– Shs.8m, Staff– Shs.39m, Team kits– Shs.111m, Build up games– Shs.1.6b, Ministry officials– Shs.142m, World Cup trip– Shs.470m.
Seven players who featured in the 2015 campaign were included on the teamincluding skipper and teamcaptain Peace Proscovia, Rachael Nanyonga, , Stella Oyella, Jesca Acan, Ruth Meeme, Lillian Ajio and Sylvia Nanyonga. Team Uganda will open their campaign with hosts England on 12th July, Samoa on July and lastly Scotland on 14th.
The she cranes will travel without media attachees, but in a written statement they said “the federation is yet to appoint two media attaches (print and T.V) and will rely on the good will of media persons that have been accreditated and have UK entry visas to cover the Netball world cup.“
The Uganda netball team is currently ranked number #6 in the world following the recent 1st, July International Netball Federation (INF) annual World Rankings update, a shift from the 8th position in 2015.
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