Uganda woodball federation on Sunday unveiled the team for 2019, also the second beach woodball world cup due May 25-30 at Spena beach, Entebbe. 23 countries have so far conforming parting of over the 30 expected to take part. A 28-man Team Uganda consisting of 16 players for senior team (eight men and women) and 12 for junior players (six boys and girls) was announced on Sunday and both teams will reside at Perenial hotel, just adjacent to Spena beach, when they start off residential training on May 5 after completing their non-residential drills on Sunday.
Collins Ssemanda, the Uganda woodball federation (UWBF) General Secretary said that few countries have entered their junior teams, which according to him, gives Uganda an advantage since the competition is for both categories. The team was selected after two rounds of trials and team manager Godfrey Bukenya is confident the selected players can lead Uganda to victory at own soil. “The non-residential training has been good and we think the team will get better during the residential training. The only hiccup has been lack of equipment and we pray that the federation can avail them in time,” noted Bukenya. UWBF President Paul Mark Kayongo says that the preparations for one of the biggest global woodball competitions is on the mark –with most of the necessities in place although lack of funds is still a challenge. “We have identified the hotels, a second venue neighboring Spena beach and we still pray we get the funding,” noted Kayongo. The federation’s biggest financial hopes lie in government through the national council of sports (NCS) that already showed commitment during the event launch early last month. The Chinese embassy in Uganda and Ndejje University are the other partners in place. Uganda won Gold in fairway in the inaugural completion in 2017 through current national team coach Onesmus Atamba.
Senior team:
Ladies: Mary Athieno, Moreen Kirungi, Denise Nanjeru, Sandra Nabaggala, Jackie Naula, Florence Mukoya, Joyce Nalubega, Joan Mukova.
Men: Thomas Kedi, Watson Mugume, Robert Mutibwa, Geoffrey Towongo, Bridge Byamukama, Wilson Musinguzi, Charles Sensalo, Joel Adupa (Cpt).
Junior team:
Girls: Idris Rashida Nateese, Brenda Anyimo, Amina Nalujja, Lyiola Akuguzibwe, Fortunate Nakaali, Shina Nakafu.
Boys: Simon Otim, Timothy Ssuuna, Brian Okidi, Patrick Ogalo, Pascal Kidega, Ismail Ssozi.
