Bayigga on SA-bound rugby side
LADY Cranes will make the trip to South Africa for the Nelson Mandela Bay 7s rugby tournament this weekend without key players Charlotte Mudoola and Josephine Namayega.<br>
By Douglas Mazune and Johnson Ogola
LADY Cranes will make the trip to South Africa for the Nelson Mandela Bay 7s rugby tournament this weekend without key players Charlotte Mudoola and Josephine Namayega.
The team that leaves on Thursday for Port Elizabeth, South Africa, has however secured the services of former 400m sprinter Justine Bayigga.
Namayega was ruled out after picking up an ankle injury in training on Saturday while Mudoola opted out of the trip to concentrate on exams at Law Development Centre.
Coach David Mutaka admitted that the absence of Mudoola and Namayega would be felt but said it would give others a chance to play.
“Since we are building a team, this gives us an opportunity to try other options and also try out players in different positions. We hope the exposure will make them better players,†Mutaka remarked.
The team has also been boosted by the inclusion of former sprinter Bayigga, who switched to rugby two months ago and has been undergoing training.
“Bayigga lacks a few things, but she is a natural finisher. She is sharp, fast, has the heart for the team and an eye for the try line,†Mutaka added confidently.
The two-day 7s tournament that kicks off on Friday will feature Brazil, South Africa and USA and a host of clubs from Europe, America and South Africa. National teams will use the event as a build up ahead of the inaugural IRB 7s Women World Cup in Dubai.
The Ugandan contingent is sponsored by Ice Mark.
Full squad: Christine Kizito (capt), Brenda Kayiyi, Asha Ssonko, Rose Kanyunyuzi, Hellen Buteme, Winnie Atyang, Rachael Kakaire, Prose Nakakande, Justine Bayigga, Alia Adania, Harriet Kayonjo
LADY Cranes will make the trip to South Africa for the Nelson Mandela Bay 7s rugby tournament this weekend without key players Charlotte Mudoola and Josephine Namayega.
The team that leaves on Thursday for Port Elizabeth, South Africa, has however secured the services of former 400m sprinter Justine Bayigga.
Namayega was ruled out after picking up an ankle injury in training on Saturday while Mudoola opted out of the trip to concentrate on exams at Law Development Centre.
Coach David Mutaka admitted that the absence of Mudoola and Namayega would be felt but said it would give others a chance to play.
“Since we are building a team, this gives us an opportunity to try other options and also try out players in different positions. We hope the exposure will make them better players,†Mutaka remarked.
The team has also been boosted by the inclusion of former sprinter Bayigga, who switched to rugby two months ago and has been undergoing training.
“Bayigga lacks a few things, but she is a natural finisher. She is sharp, fast, has the heart for the team and an eye for the try line,†Mutaka added confidently.
The two-day 7s tournament that kicks off on Friday will feature Brazil, South Africa and USA and a host of clubs from Europe, America and South Africa. National teams will use the event as a build up ahead of the inaugural IRB 7s Women World Cup in Dubai.
The Ugandan contingent is sponsored by Ice Mark.
Full squad: Christine Kizito (capt), Brenda Kayiyi, Asha Ssonko, Rose Kanyunyuzi, Hellen Buteme, Winnie Atyang, Rachael Kakaire, Prose Nakakande, Justine Bayigga, Alia Adania, Harriet Kayonjo