NCS calls off Netball Federation elections

By Norman Katende, Silvano Kibuuka and Robert Atuhairwe

THEe national sports governing body NCS has intervened and called off the netball elective assembly that was due this Saturday.

The council instead advised that the UNF assembly should go on as a normal general assembly that will be able to harmonise all the warring factions and also solve the constitutional issues before thinking of elections.

The embattled netball executive led by Suzan Anek Ongom had called for an elective assembly with electing office bearers as the only item on the agenda.

The move follows an earlier meeting that was called early this year being stopped by the NCS after some clubs petitioned against the body’s administration and the constitution which they said was not adopted.

NCS assistant general secretary Timothy Magala Ssemakula confirmed that they had advised the national body on the impact of holding elections without answering the pertinent issues that were affecting the fraternity.

“The complaints from the different clubs was that the constitution in force had not been adopted. The executive has also never presented reports as it is an obligation for them,” said Ssemakula.

Ssemakula said that since the assembly was called by the council, then they should be able to follow their advice.

“We have advised them to first address these issues and it will be during this assembly that the election date will be set after all parties agree on the way forward,” said Ssemakula.

NIC netballers are indebted to win the East and Central Africa Club Championships in memory of their legendary coach Margaret Bisereko who passed on last December.

Team manager Fatia Kitaka said; “We need to retain the trophy since we are playing at home. Also it will be a great honour for our fallen coach Margaret Bisereko.”

Each member country is expected to field at least four teams but so far, only Zanzibar and hosts Uganda have confirmed.

Zanzibar has confirmed Zimamoto and JKU for the women and Police and JKU for the men.

Hoima district will host this year’s national netball rally March 16-17.

Amon Zondera, the district sports officer told New Vision that the district secured the hosting rights of the annual event to honour late Bisereko, a national netball legend who hailed from the area.

Bisereko was born on October 23, 1954 to Rev Canon Rosco Bisereko and Azida Nyandera of Kakindo in Kyabigambire Sub-County Hoima district.

She captained Uganda in netball, volleyball and handball and won three regional netball titles with the She Cranes in 1975, 1981 and 1982 respectively.

Bisereko, who passed away early this year, also won three netball league titles with KCC and Posta.

Zondera said about 20 secondary schools, 30 primary schools and 10 tertiary institutions in the district had promised participation.

He said they also anticipate over 40 teams from other districts.