Prisons, NIC renew rivalry in Nairobi

East and Central Africa Netball Club Championship (April 24-30) 

Defending champions Prisons and NIC netball teams are out to renew their rivalry on foreign turf when they meet at the East and Central Africa Netball Club Championship starting Sunday in Nairobi, Kenya.

Title holders Prisons who are fresh from the local Inter-Forces Games in Kampala are fielding the best players ahead of the weeklong competition according head coach Imelda Nyongesa.

"The team just returned with victory at the Inter-Forces Games and I am still confident we shall retain the title," said Nyongesa during the team's final training on Friday at Luzira.

Nyongesa could be proud of having a majority of national team players like Lillian Ajio, Florence Amono, Halima Nakachwa, Stella Oyella, Hadijja Nakabuye and Florence Nanyonga on her lineup.

But this has not spooked former champions NIC from believing that they are the better side ahead of the encounter and are very determined to reclaim the title.

"We are not under so much pressure unlike our counterparts (Prisons) who are likely to make errors due to the tension of trying to defend the trophy. We may not be having many national team players on our line up but they are all good," NIC's team manager Jocelyn Ucanda stated.

NIC has fielded skipper Martha Soigi, Racheal Nanyonga, Zam Seera, Desire Obua, Florence Adunia, Betty Kiiza, Nabataazi Scovia, Joan Nampugu, Alice Nantenza, Brenda Namubiru, Namuwaya Muhaimuna, Kazzaana Nassimu and Shalifa Nalukenge for the event.

KCCA and WOB (men) are the other Ugandan clubs at the annual event that has attracted teams among others MOICT, Kenya Prisons, Uhamiaji, Polisi Morogoro and Jeshi Stars from Tanzania.