Lacrosse: It's Uganda's moment on the World stage

World Lacrosse Championships

2018 July 12-21

Netanya, Israel

Uganda's participation in the prestigious Men's FIL World Lacrosse Championships in Israel could help redefine the game in the country.

The campaign to the event alone has offered a new form of elevation as Uganda boasts of an international Israeli coach Peter Ginnegar in their ranks.

Still, it is Uganda and Kenya the only FIL African nations, a statistic that translates into the former establishing the basic definition of the game in Africa.

"With the game of lacrosse quickly becoming popular in other African countries, the Ugandan teams pave the way for all nations" a delighted Ginnegar stated.

The men's national team has had a series of pick-up activations ahead of the global meet and they have only impressed the selectors who recently named a 27 man squad, which of course will be chopped later to a final 23. Mike Allan, John Christmas, Francis Donald and Ivan Cohen were involved in the selection exercise.

 Uganda's Israeli coach Peter Ginnegar

"The people of this country never cease to amaze me, and the members of the national team are certainly no exception," Ginnegar said. "We asked them to make it difficult during our December mini-camp and they really did."Ginnegar added.

With a fundraising drive going on, the bigger question now would be whether the national team can disrupt the establishment at the global stage.

Finishing in a good position than winning the usually riveting contest is deemed a realistic target for the travelling side who are set to show-case their talent on a stage that is expected to have fifty (50) teams.

The USA has won the most titles (nine). Canada are the defending champions having won the title 2014 in the USA.

But what is clearly more important now is the fact that the country is assured of a grand avert when the championship gets underway in July. Watch this space!

2018 Uganda National Team Roster

Richard Akena (D)

Allan Amone (G)

Andrew Musasizi (M)

Jeff Anywar (M)

Michael Bahizi (D)

Bernard Otim (D)

David Castro Onen (A/M)

Kenneth Ssazi (M)

Kenneth Kasule (M)

Trey Kawugule (M)

Martin Komakech (M)

Keith  Lubangkane (M)

Ibrahim Makanda (D)

Albert  Mugaga (G)

Fazio Nsubuga (A)

Samson Ochan (A)

James Okello (G)

John Paul  Okura (D)

Patrick Oriana (M)

Collines Odiira (M)

James Okello (G)

Reagan Ochan (M)

Ronald Otim (D)

Ibrahim Ssetimba (M)

Pitta Shaban   (D)    

Yunis Brian Tukire (M/D)

Liberty Twesiime (A/M)

Dalton Wadri (M)