She Cranes dominate Africa Netball Championship despite poor treatment

Ugandans have a lot to learn from their national netball side- the She Cranes.

These patriots are taking sacrifice to unprecedented levels. If we could all emulate these gallant athletes Uganda wouldn't be grappling in poverty.

Uganda's much publicized patriotism classes might in fact not even be necessary. Why sink billions of shillings in such a project when you have living examples like these netballers to learn from?

The latest in these athletes' tales of sacrifice is being manifested in the Africa Netball Championships that Uganda happens to be hosting.

They have had to endure all sorts of demeaning experiences in the name of flying Uganda's flag high.

Besides not being sure of even basics like meals they have also been short on simple requirements like uniforms.

On Wednesday they only managed to secure a meal minutes to their friendly with Malawi. It also took a last minute effort for them to be dressed in a proper uniform.

The team's transport has also been a nightmare just like the players' allowances.

Of course there is incompetence written all over Uganda Netball Federation. The sooner those who run this sport stood down, the better.

But despite the mess, these athletes are not about to lose focus. In their match against Malawi you could hardly tell that they were enduring hell.

They twice beat the African giants in friendlies last week. They were in equally superb form in their tournament opening game with Botswana on Saturday.

And by the way, all the teams that the She Cranes are beating have huge budgets.

I happened to talk to one of the Malawi officials and he was disappointed that a team of their stature could twice fall to a Ugandan side that was struggling with basics.

If you thought the She Cranes' tale is pathetic, then you should know that they have endured even worse.

In 2013 they moved for thousands of kilometers by road to Malawi for that year's edition of the African meet. They arrived late missing their opening game but still won bronze.

Then in 2014 at a World Cup qualifier they were again penniless. They were almost detained by a hotel in Gaborone for delayed payment but still emerged top.

Besides the sacrifice, one thing that stands out in our netballers is the fact that they are also a highly talented lot.

If you are to gauge them against other disciplines, they can probably only be beaten by our long distance runners and boxers.

As they continue shinning, you are tempted to further to make a comparison with other sectors.

Uganda has some of the best professionals in many sectors.Talk of star doctors, engineers, lawyers and teachers and Ugandan names come up.

But one area where our netballers beat them is sacrifice.  If we were all to borrow just a small fraction of their sacrifice we would take this country places.