World cup qualifiers:Silverbacks to camp in Turkey
Jun 13, 2018
The second round of the qualifiers is due June 29-July 1 in Lagos Nigeria and Uganda targets three wins to top their pool.
PIC: NCS Assistant General Secretary David Katende (L) hands over the Uganda Flag to Silver Backs team captain Stephen Omony as the rest of the team and FUBA Marketing and Media Grace Kwizera in suit looks on. (Credit: Johnson Were)
BASKETBALL
World cup qualifier games
June 29
Nigeria v Uganda, 12.30am
June 30
Uganda v Mali, 10pm
July 1
Uganda v Rwanda, 10pm
ANKARA - The national men's basketball team, the Silver Backs technical bench on Tuesday June 12 named a 12 team squad that will represent Uganda in the second round of the FIBA World Cup qulifiers in Lagos Nigeria.
The team will however camp for two weeks in Istanbul Turkey a head of the qualifeirs where they will meet Nigeria, Mali and Rwanda in the World Cup qualifiers.
The second round of the qualifiers is due June 29-July 1 in Lagos Nigeria and Uganda targets three wins to top the pool in which they are with Mali, Rwanda and hosts Nigeria.
Coach Mande Juruni said in a press briefing on Tuesday at Uganda Olympic committee before the team was flagged off that camping in Turkey will help him and his colleagues jelly together a team to win the qualifier games.
"We are not just camping in turkey but we are taking advantage of the many national teams camping there to have friendlies that will help us fix loopholes before the tournament," Juruni said.
"We have players on the team who in leagues outside the country and the three friendlies with Iran, Bahrain and Cameroon will help the player bond and gets that playing patterns before the competitions," Juruni added.
The National Basketball team, Silverbacks at the national Council of sports during the flag off. (Credit: Johnson Were)
During the first round of the qualifiers Uganda defeated Mali 79-76, but lost to Rwanda 79-63, and to Nigeria 102-86 to stay second in the pool.
Top two in the pool will directly qualify for the final round of the world cup qualifiers.
NCS assistant Secretary General David Katende before flagging off the team urged players to fight hard and qualify for the final the round of the world cup qualifiers.
"Government is committed to continue funding but that depends on accountability which is winning more tournaments," Katende said.
FUBA vice president Grace Kwizera said that the team is fully funded by Government ahead of the tourney.
The team captained by Stephen Omony has five foreign based players who include John Dengeu (USA), Emmanuel Mugenga (France), Jordin Mayes (USA), Samuel Kalwanyi (USA), and Robinson Odoch (Canada).
The other players on the team include, Syrus Kiviiri, Joseph Ikong, Jimmy Enabu, Ivan Lumanyika, Stanley Mugerwa and James Okello while the coaches include George Galanopoolos, Juruni Mande and Omar Baraj.
The team leaves on thursday morning to Turkey.