NIC, Prisons set up all-Ugandan affair in the EA Netball Championship

Results

Prisons 60: 26 JKT

NIC 41:33 USIMIAJE

Uganda's netball clubs remain unbeaten at the ongoing East Africa Netball Club Championships in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

With no Kenyan clubs participating and considering the level of netball in Tanzania, this comes as no surprise. Uganda's edge in talent and player experience is evident.

The two Ugandan clubs, NIC and Prisons, have each won all four of their matches so far. This impressive performance suggests that the upcoming match between NIC and Prisons will likely determine the championship winner.

Uganda has dominated these championships since 2008, with NIC winning 11 titles and Prisons claiming three. Despite hosting the tournament in Nairobi, Kenya, last year, no Kenyan clubs are participating this year, despite the proximity to Tanzania.

This raises questions about the competitive nature of netball in East Africa. The East Africa Netball Club Championships is the biggest netball tournament in the region, bringing together the strongest clubs. The level of netball in Uganda is high compared to other East African countries. However, if other countries start avoiding the tournament, leaving it as a display platform for Uganda, how will they be able to learn from the best in East Africa?

Prisons vs NIC

The match between NIC and Prisons is the second-to-last game for both clubs at the 2024 East Africa Netball Club Championships.

By 10:30 am Friday, it will be clear whether NIC has successfully defended its title, as the two longtime rivals are set to rekindle their fierce competition. The teams last faced each other in Nairobi, Kenya, where NIC emerged victorious with a score of 49-37.

Prisons will be eager to avenge their loss from the 2023 East Africa Netball Club Championships finals, while NIC aims to reinforce their dominance over Prisons.

In her journey to make her mark as a coach, Meeme aims to block her former bosses' title defense. Meeme stressed that she does not underestimate NIC, but fear is not in her vocabulary. "We are strong, and they are also strong. I know they have no room for underestimating us," Meeme highlighted.

Like Meeme, the NIC technical team remains focused on defending their title. NIC will be seeking their 22nd title, whereas Prisons are aiming for their fourth. NIC is the current East Africa defending champions, while Prisons last won the title in 2018.