Margaret Baagala calls for equity in netball amid lack of facilities

Margaret Baagala is no ordinary netball player. A key figure in Uganda’s She Cranes, she has represented the nation at the 2023 Netball World Cup, the 2018 Commonwealth Games, two Africa Cups, and two Fast Five tournaments.

At the club level, Baagala plays for NIC (National Insurance Corporation), one of Uganda’s top netball teams.

Despite netball’s consistent presence on the global stage, Baagala believes the sport has not received the financial support or facility development it deserves. While she acknowledges that achieving full equality with sports like football may be a distant goal, she insists that equity is both achievable and necessary.

“We may not receive as much as football players, but our payments can at least be increased. If equality is unattainable, let us at least have equity,” Baagala emphasized.

She expressed frustration over the lack of proper netball facilities in Uganda, contrasting the abundance of football pitches with the country’s lone indoor arena, which no longer meets modern standards.

“It’s surprising how many football pitches we have, yet only one indoor arena that doesn’t meet the required standards. Many of us have sustained injuries from playing on poor surfaces, but that’s rarely discussed. Netball has competed in three consecutive World Cups, yet we still lack a proper facility. This raises serious questions,” Baagala said.

She also questioned whether the situation would be different if men had achieved the same milestones as Uganda’s female netball players. “If we were men who had played in three World Cups, two Commonwealth tournaments, and multiple Africa Cups, wouldn’t we have a standard facility by now?” she asked.
The Need for Medical Insurance

Baagala also highlighted the lack of medical insurance for netball players as a critical issue. With injuries being common due to poor playing conditions, many players struggle to access proper medical care.

“Frequent injuries from poor surfaces and the absence of medical insurance jeopardize the future of many netball players. I hope that one day, national team players will have medical insurance to cover treatment for injuries sustained while representing the country,” she added.

Margaret Baagala’s call for equity in netball reflects the broader challenges facing the sport in Uganda. As the She Cranes continue to shine on the global stage, her plea underscores the urgent need for better pay, improved facilities, and healthcare support for players. Whether her call will be heeded remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: netball in Uganda deserves immediate attention and investment.