Hong Kong 7s (Women)
Uganda Group Stage Fixtures
Thursday, 4th April (EAT)
6: 06 AM – Kenya vs Uganda
8: 18 AM -Uganda vs Papua New Guinea
10: 52 AM – Hong Kong vs Uganda
Friday – Post Group Stage Matches
After landing in Hong Kong for this year’s Sevens Series and the Captain’s photo shoot done on Tuesday morning (EAT) ahead of action kickoff this Thursday, Uganda Lady Rugby Cranes have acclimatized in Hong Kong with gym sessions and aqua sessions as well as a test match against Mexico. Uganda is in Pool B alongside perennial rivals Kenya, hosts Hong Kong and hard hitting Papua New Guinea. Kenya stopped Uganda from winning the women continental championship and thus stands as one of Africa’s finest. But the experience of the Lady Rugby Cranes dugout as named by Coach Helen Buteme Koyokoyo is a big plus. Ugandan teenage sensation Emilly Lekuru admits that her side is prepared mentally and physically and all focus is on the prize. “We have been counting to the tournament kick off and it is finally here. We are very focused for the games and we believe that God is our side,” noted Lekuru. The 18-year old has been around women rugby circles for long and way back in 2014, she was named the 2014 Safari 7s U19 Girls tournament MVP. Lekuru and Juliet Nandawula were in the team that never conceded a single point then. Uganda has the youngest women team in the tournament –with the average age of the team being 22 years. Buteme will hope that her most capped star and Captain Charlotte Thereza Mudoola (19 caps), also World Cup veteran, will turn up for the do. Proscovia Ayero will make her national team debut.
Lady Rugby Cranes Team
Charlotte Thereza Mudoola (Black Panthers), Emilly Lekuru (Black Pearls), Flavia Agenorwot (Black Pearls), Grace Auma (Black Pearls), Immaculate Mufuwa (Black Pearls), Juliet Nandawula (Entebbe Ladies), Mary Gloria Ayot (Black Pearls), Aisha Nabulime (Thunderbirds), Peace Lekuru (Entebbe Ladies), Peace Mirembe (Black Panthers), Proscovia Ayero (Black Pearls), Rita Nadunga (Black Panthers)
Officials
Head Coach: Helen Koyokoyo Buteme
Team Manager: Regina Hellen Okoit Lunyolo
Physiotherapist: Prossy Namusisi
