The Uganda Beach Woodball Cranes returned home with four medals as the 3rd Beach Woodball World Cup 2023 ended in Malaysia on Monday.

Uganda’s women were the best performers, for the first time winning silver in the stroke competition while team captain Joan Mukoova managed an individual bronze in the Women's Singles Fairway competition.

Another star for Uganda was Christine Birungi who also notched an individual bronze from the Women’s Stroke competition, while the men’s team also finished third overall in the Fairway Competition. Uganda and Kenya were the only African representatives at the event which attracted 12 countries.

Birungi who finished third overall with a bronze in the stroke competition is looking for an even better performance in the future.

“This was my first time at such a stage and I think I can win gold next time. Our opponents were good but only better at attacking the gate which I think we can also improve on before the next World Cup,” Birungi said after touching down at Entebbe on Wednesday.

Mukoova who was attending her third world cup event hailed the ladies' team, who for the first time managed to win a silver in the ladies’ stroke competition and a bronze in the fairway competition.

“Our opponents were better prepared mentally but we are at the same level, skill-wise. They knew how to handle pressure better than us,” she noted.

George Isabirye the head coach said they had picked valuable lessons and praised his team for the level of competition they displayed in winning the medals that Uganda managed. He said the small squad that travelled compared to other teams was also a hindrance.

“We need to recruit the players early while they are in primary school and pass on the right skills at that level instead of waiting to do the same when they are at an advanced stage. So we need coaching courses for the coaches and Games Masters so that they pick the same skills training. There is also still a challenge with the equipment that they should also be able to access early on,” Isabirye stated.

Grace Orone the team manager thanked the government for availing the funds that enabled the team to travel and the president Mark Kayongo for his efforts in uplifting the sport.

Uganda was represented by Joyce Nalubega, Joan Mukoova, Christine Birungi, Florence Mukooya, Lillian Zawedde, and Jackie Naula while the men’s team comprised of Onesmus Atamba, Thomas Kedi, Ronald Mulindwa, Israel Muwanguzi, Michael Musaazi, and Robert Mutiibwa.

Thailand won the event followed by Chinese Taipei, with Hong Kong and Uganda finishing third and fourth respectively.

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