By Douglas Mazune
FALCONS are the sole Ugandan team with any title hopes in the Abe Linc International tournament following a mass departure of top players for next week’s East African Inter-University Games.
Falcons are least affected despite also losing Nimrod Kaboha, Paul Onyango, Sam Obol and Andrew Tendo before the start of the tournament’s 10th edition at YMCA Wandegeya and Makerere University today.
“Playing depleted local teams is meaningless, I wish more foreign teams come. If possible we want a third title,” Falcons coach Ronald Kaboha said. Flacons won the tournament in 1999 and 2000 .
Sky Jammers opted out of the tournament having lost almost the entire team to Nkumba and Makerere Universities.
Sadolin Power will do without their stars Wilbrod Oketcho, Isaac Afidra, Julius Wapera, Marvin Keronga and Isaac Mawiwi while Charging Rhino will miss Aciko brothers Albert and Richard.
The draw will be conducted at noon today after the arrival of Goma Bulls from Democratic Republic of Congo and Co-operative Bank plus men’s defending champions Nairobi Combined.
Lady Bucks, Amazon Rhinos and Nabisunsa were the only womens teams registered by press time.
The popular Rhino Athletics Club (RAC) organised tournament will be played under floodlights and is sponsored by MTN, Afro-net and Kampala Kids League (KKL).