Netball World Cup: Uganda avoids Australia

By David Namunyala

Netball World

Cup, Australia
August 7-16, 2015

She Cranes head coach Fred Mugerwa is convinced Uganda will progress to the knockout stages of the 2015 netball World Cup due in Sydney, Australia.

The tactician’s confidence stems from the team’s that Uganda was pitted against in the World Cup draw yesterday. Uganda was drawn in Group D alongside Fiji, Wales and Zambia.

The World Cup will be held on August 7-16, 2015. Uganda had earlier been placed in Group C but had to cross pools with Sri Lanka to comply with the International Netball Federation (INF) regulation that doesn’t allow more than two teams from the same region to play in the same pool.

In this instance, Pool C would have included Malawi, South Africa and Uganda as per the vote but according to Mugerwa, drawing Uganda to Pool D is likely to be an advantage.

 “It’s even better that we were taken to another group because it looks a better side for us to qualify to the next stage,” Mugerwa said.

He added; “It’s only Zambia that we have ever played amongst those in our group. We beat them during that time but I can’t guarantee you that we are going to beat them again that easily because they have been there before and we haven’t.”

Uganda is currently ranked 13 internationally following their performance at the Six Nations Cup in Singapore and the Africa Netball Championships in Botswana.

Proscovia confident

She Cranes skipper Peace Proscovia believes Uganda’s prospects are bright. She stated that the She Cranes are capable of making it past the preliminary stage looking at the teams in their group.

“A team like Zambia is strong but we know how to tackle them and have ever beaten them before while for the rest, we shall stand firm and fight our way through if we make it to Sydney,” she stated.

She added; “We have always played under very difficult conditions but still reaped victory. We will try to do the same in Australia.”

Proscovia also appealed to the State Minister of Education and Sports, Charles Bakkabulindi to help avail the team with a better training ground that will help the team prepare and reduce on injuries.

The She Cranes are currently seeking for sh1.8b to enable them prepare for the Africa Netball Championship slated for May next year and the World Cup in Sydney. The Uganda Netball Federation has so far raised sh77m from sponsorship offers.

For NWC2015 Chief Executive Marne Fechner the return to Network Ten represents a defining moment for the Event.

“We are thrilled to have the Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015 shown on Fox Sports and Network Ten,” Fechner explained.

“This is a significant moment for this event, and for our sport. We are excited to work with both networks over the next eight months in the lead up to NWC2015 and build the profile of this once-in-a-generation event with all Australians.

“It is fantastic to have these networks back our event, our amazing athletes and the incredible spectacle they will create. The partnership will give more fans across Australia the chance to be touched by the Netball World Cup."

FOX Sports CEO, Patrick Delany, said: “This is going to be an incredibly exciting tournament and FOX Sports will be the home of the Netball World Cup.

Meanwhile, turning 20 next year, the Netball World Cup has received an early birthday present with the perpetual trophy undergoing a restoration ahead of the World Cup.

First created in 1995, the restoration reflects the rebrand from World Netball Championships, to Netball World Cup — a move to bring the tournament.

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