Uganda U16 Junior Gazelles flagged off to FIBA U16 Women's Africa Championship
The U16 Junior Gazelles were on Thursday morning flagged off to Kigali, Rwanda, where they will for the first time participate in the FIBA U16 Women's Africa Championship that will kick off this Sunday, July 28th, and run until Saturday, August 3rd in Kigali, Rwanda.
The contingent of 12 players, 2 coaches and one delegate departed on Friday 26th for the event. Five-time reigning champions Mali, as well as Egypt, Angola, South Africa, Tanzania, Mozambique and hosts Rwanda are also set to participate in the tournament.
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The Junior Gazelles won the Zone V U16 Championship in Rwanda to qualify for the Africa championship.
The team’s Head Coach, Roger Sserunyiigo, says despite having to face more experienced teams, they are prepared for the task at hand.
“When we went to zone V, no one knew about my team but we ended up beating all the teams with a big margin, said Sserunyiigo. “We are now going for this championship knowing we are going to face tough opponents but I have prepared the players so well; they have been preparing for the last 10 days so we know we can put (together) a greater challenge to the big teams,” Coach Sserunyiigo said.
The team captain, Lydia Babirye, is also confident in her teammates.
“We as a team are very ready,” Babirye said, adding, “the coaches have prepared us very well and I am sure we shall put up a good fight to emerge champions.”
The Junior Gazelles, who have been camping at the African Bible University in Lubowa, and will qualify for the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup in 2020 if they finish among the Top 2.
