She Cranes, Rock off to Nairobi for Africa Netball Championship
Uganda is aiming to improve on its performance from last year, when the She Cranes finished runners-up to South Africa.
She Cranes during the flag off ceremony. PHOTOS: Ismail Mulangwa
Uganda will be represented by two teams at the continental championship, the women's She Cranes and the men's Rock, as the country seeks success on both fronts.
The tournament carries added significance for the participating nations, with two teams expected to secure qualification for next year's Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia. Uganda and South Africa have already secured their places at the global showpiece.
Uganda is aiming to improve on its performance from last year, when the She Cranes finished runners-up to South Africa. The team is now targeting the trophy while also protecting Uganda's position in the world rankings.
Goal shooter Christine Namulumba is confident the team can achieve its objectives after being given an opportunity to compete at the international level beyond the domestic league.
The men's netball team
"I have been given the opportunity to compete beyond the netball league and I believe I will not disappoint my team," Namulumba said.
Netball Uganda president Jocelyn Ucanda said winning the tournament and maintaining Uganda's world ranking remain the team's main priorities.
"Our main priority is to win the trophy and maintain our world ranking," Ucanda said. "We gave priority to players who missed out on the Commonwealth Games. The players we selected are good, and we know they will achieve our target."
The teams were flagged off on Monday by National Council of Sports (NCS) Assistant General Secretary in charge of administrative matters, Joseph Oluga. They are scheduled to depart for Nairobi on Tuesday evening.
The She Cranes squad consists of 12 players and will be captained by Racheal Nanyonga. The team will be guided by coaches Rashid Mubiru and Ruth Meeme.
The 14-member Rock men's team will be captained by Richard Eppa and will be under the guidance of coaches Jesse Asiimwe and Imeldah Nyongesa.
With qualification for the World Cup already secured, Uganda's focus will now be on continental glory and consolidating its world ranking status.