Uganda not ready for IHF Challenge Trophy

By David Namunyala

August 16-22

U-20 IHF Challenge
Trophy for Zone V

Uganda’s performance in the U-20 International Handball Federation (IHF) Challenge Trophy for Zone V could be affected by the teams’ late preparations.

The event will roll off at the Uganda Christian University (UCU) ground in Mukono on Saturday.

The girls training sessions raised doubts as to whether they will play competitively at the week-long contest.

The girls like the boys, drawn from a number of post primary schools, only started residential training on Monday.

The training is held at the Kibuli Police Training School, Kampala.

Coach doubtful

Head coach Jimmy Orotin said that the girls team was still wanting in many areas of the game.

“Most of them have never played any serious tournament before they were called for this one,” Orotin stated after Thursday’s morning training programme.

The players have been walking from the NCS hostel in Lugogo, where they are accommodated, to Kibuli for training and back over the past four days.

Many of the players raised the issue of lack of proper training materials like shoes and jerseys. Some were seen training in sandals.

The final squad of 14 players in each category will be named today.Uganda finished in sixth position at the 2012 tournament held in Djibouti.

The country was represented by a boys team.