Sports
Uganda university 7s seek podium breakthrough in South Africa
The team is preparing for the FISU World University Rugby 7s Championship, scheduled for September 4-6 at Stellenbosch in Cape Town, South Africa.
The University National 7s team with their Ball boys after the morning training. (Photo by Johnson Were)
By: Johnson Were, Journalist @New Vision
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Enhancing the players' conditioning and polishing their breakdowns are the main areas the university national 7s team coaches, Leonard Lubambula and Kevin Makmot, are working on as the team prepares for the FISU World University Rugby 7s Championship.
The team is preparing for the FISU World University Rugby 7s Championship, scheduled for September 4-6 at Stellenbosch in Cape Town, South Africa.
According to backs coach Makmot, the players are a bit slow at breakdowns, with support taking too long to respond, an area the coaches are addressing before departure.
“We have addressed the conditioning part of it, and we are just improving on it. But the most important is that we have to work on reactions at the support at breakdowns,” Makmot said.
The team aims to improve on its 2018 performance, when it finished sixth out of 12 teams, and has set a higher target of finishing in the top three this time.
“What we want is a medal. So, we have to work hard and address all our weak areas before we leave,” Makmot said.
“We have addressed the conditioning part of it, and we are just improving on it. But the most important is that we have to work on reactions at the support at breakdowns,” Makmot said.
The team aims to improve on its 2018 performance, when it finished sixth out of 12 teams, and has set a higher target of finishing in the top three this time.
“What we want is a medal. So, we have to work hard and address all our weak areas before we leave,” Makmot said.
The previous edition, held in 2024 in Aix-en-Provence, France, ended with France emerging as winners in the men's competition and Japan winning the women's competition.
The tournament, which started in 2004, is intended to nurture talent for national teams in the world's most entertaining sport.
The tournament is expected to attract teams from China, Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Namibia, Kenya, Britain, Brazil and hosts South Africa, as well as defending champions France.
The Uganda team includes Francis Bogere (captain), Daniel Kateregga, Calvin Gizaba (vice-captain), Stuart Mwayi, Mark Lagat, Allan Karuhanga, Jones Kamiza, Ryan Juuko, Ian Bwowe, David Shimwa, Darren Aine and Darrell Mwaka.
The tournament, which started in 2004, is intended to nurture talent for national teams in the world's most entertaining sport.
The tournament is expected to attract teams from China, Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Namibia, Kenya, Britain, Brazil and hosts South Africa, as well as defending champions France.
The Uganda team includes Francis Bogere (captain), Daniel Kateregga, Calvin Gizaba (vice-captain), Stuart Mwayi, Mark Lagat, Allan Karuhanga, Jones Kamiza, Ryan Juuko, Ian Bwowe, David Shimwa, Darren Aine and Darrell Mwaka.