The Uganda national netball team (She Cranes) arrived England on Saturday ahead of the 2019 Netball World Cup due July 12-21 at M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England.
The ”demotivated’ team was flagged off on Thursday by the First Lady and minister of Education and sports Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni at State House, Nakasero.
A contingent of 12 players and eight technical officials led by National Council of Sports (NCS) General Secretary Dr. Bernard Patrick Ogwel flew out on Friday to England where they are accommodated at Holiday Express Hotel. Before departure, the team had vowed not to set foot on the plane before being paid their training allowances.
Due to financial hiccups, the She Cranes have not been getting daily allowances while in residential camp as government was yet to release the funds to the netball federation.
However, NCS managed to extend Shs5m to each of the contingent member with similar amount to be received in the due course.
Uganda, ranked 6th in the world, opens the campaign against the hosts on July 12 before facing Samoa and Scotland in group D.
Head Coach Vincent Kiwanuka believes winning the opening game will determine his team’s performance at the global showpiece.
Woodball official named team media officer
Meanwhile, the media in Uganda was awash with news that Uganda woodball federation General Secretary Joseph Collins Ssemanda was registered at the Netball World Cup as the She Cranes media attache. Ssemanda, also the media officer of Ndejje University FC has never served in the position.
Wilberforce Mutete, who traveled as physical fitness trainer is the official Uganda netball federation (UNF) publicity secretary.
SQUAD: Peace Proscovia (Sunshine Coast Lightning), Mary Nubba cholkoh (Loughborough Lightening), Lilian Ajio (Prisons), Jesca Achan (Prisons), Meeme Ruth (NIC), Betty Kizza ( NIC), Racheal Nanyonga ( NIC), Sylivia Nanyonga (Prisons), Joan Nampugu (NIC), Stella Oyella (NIC), Stella Nanfuka (Prisons), Muhaimuna Naamuwaya (NIC).
