What next after the Netball World Cup?

Jul 21, 2019

The She Cranes biggest undoing in Liverpool was lack of proper preparation largely resulting from lack of standard training facilities

Uganda finished an impressive seventh at the Netball World Cup. What was, however, hurting about our Liverpool outing was the fact that we could have actually done better.

We had the potential to finish sixth if our build-up to the tournament hadn't been a catalogue of self-inflicted mishaps.

I won't delve much in our failures. Let me devote this column to what we should do if we are to take the sport to the next level.

For starters, netball needs a home. The She Cranes biggest undoing in Liverpool was lack of proper preparation largely resulting from lack of standard training facilities.

For as long as the sport continues to be at the mercy of other entities, this will continue being a major setback.

Uganda Netball Federation (UNF) should immediately start off fundraising. UNF should in the process approach key players in the construction industry.

I am sure some of these should in the process be able to make a substantial contribution. All that some of these companies require is proof thereafter that they were key players in the establishment of this home.

Top of UNF's agenda should also be the appointment of a competent coach. It has already been proved that our coaches can't measure up to the international task.

That's why we should scout in countries like Australia, New Zealand and England for tacticians who will raise our game.

Payment of this resource shouldn't be an issue now that sports is better funded by government and netball is one of the priority disciplines.

This coach should also serve as a national instructor who when not active with the national team not only scouts for talent countrywide but also teaches our coaches.

It is also time our match officials upgraded. You can't talk of development if your umpires and other line officials are not up to date. UNF should also promote the sport nationally. This is the only way more talent will be scouted. Clubs like NIC, Prisons and UPDF, whose parent institutions have a national outlook are also obliged to do the same.

Otherwise, as netball stands now it is more of a central region affair. More talent will translate into a more competitive league which will, in turn, mean a stronger national team.

Better netball also means bigger crowds which will, in turn, attract sponsors. With such a trajectory even foreign talent will be attracted to Uganda. What's wrong with us becoming Africa's netball hub?

If we can have such interventions and also have regular matches with heavyweights Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa, the sky will be the limit.

Uganda's biggest problem, however, is that we don't learn. Don't be surprised if the same problems the team encountered in the Liverpool build-up persist. It's in Ugandans not to make long term plans.

We seem to love crisis management.

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