Cash-strapped She Cranes in action today

Sep 15, 2014

Uganda starts their quest for a place in the Netball World Cup this morning with an encounter against Zambia.

By James Bakama

Today, 9.30am

Uganda v Zambia

Uganda starts their quest for a place in the Netball World Cup this morning with an encounter against Zambia.

The cash-strapped She Cranes who travelled to Botswana with a paltry $240 (sh600, 000) have a busy week. They will be playing daily until the knock-out stage of the competition later in the week.

“It is a very demanding schedule. That’s a big challenge given their financial state,” explained team manager Jocelyn Ucanda, who remained in Kampala to fundraise.

Ucanda said they require $40,000 (sh102m) to fully cater for the team’s upkeep for the Ugandan contingent of 12 players and four officials in Botswana. Assistant Sports Commissioner Sam Odongo promised at the team’s flag-off last week that government would cater for the team’s bills in Southern Africa.

But by the weekend, money was yet to be released.

“We are praying. We hope something comes up by Monday. But also remember that the time is moving,” noted Ucanda.

The top two teams will join Malawi and South Africa together with teams from other continents in the World Cup in Sydney next year.

The She Cranes left on Thursday night in time to beat an entry deadline which they failed to meet in a similar competition two years ago because of lack of funds.

The team last year got a sh102m offer from President Yoweri Museveni for a trip to Singapore for the prestigious Six Nations Tournament. The netball body says part of the money was also used for the Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar and Youth Games in Botswana. Uganda is ranked 15th by the World Netball Federation.

They are third on the continent. The She Cranes are All Africa Games gold medalists. Last year they won bronze at the Africa Championships. A World Cup place for Uganda will be the biggest netball achievement for East Africa.

The team is in Botswana with Coach Fred Mugerwa and UNF Secretary Annet Busomose. Ucanda and UNF president Susan Ongom will join the group after securing money.