Roll Ball Skaters for World Cup

Roll Ball Skating is a relatively new sport on the local scene. But Ugandan skaters are gearing up for a shot at the 3rd World Roll ball Cup in Pune India next week.

The tournament due on December 15-21 will be a boost of confidence for development of the sport, according to Uganda Roll ball Association chairman Thomas Bamuteeze.

Uganda qualified for the global stage after putting up a good show in the Africa Championship in South Africa.

Roll ball is a basketball game played while players are rolling on skates which is steadily on the rise in most urban centers in Uganda.

In 2013 Uganda reached the semi-finals where they fell to India in Nairobi. That gives Bamuteeze confidence that his teams can punch above the weight against favourites India, Denmark, Germany and UAE.

"Our expectation is to reach the semi-finals. And if all goes well, we shall go to the finals," Bamuteeze says.

The men's side will be led by center Allan Kigongo will depend on strike force of Andrew Kamoga and Bob Kamoga in search for victory.

The women's side captained by keeper Susan Mwema will be led by Ketty Nakandi and Patricia Namwayi in the hunt for points.

The game has 16 clubs around Kampala.

Bamuteeze blames to lack of facilities and equipment as the major hindrance for the sport. "We have abundant talent. Our only problem is that we lack facilities. We play on rough tarmac which wears out our skating shoes, knee cap and helmets," he said.