Olympic team trimmed to 12

She Volleyball Cranes coach Tonny Lakony has trimmed the Rio 2016 Olympic qualifiers squad, dropping senior players Sheila Omuriwe, Christine Alupo, Gloria Nantege among others.

The squad that has been in non-residential training at the International School in Uganda (ISU) went into residential camp in Zana on Entebbe Road on Tuesday.

Nine players are expected to fly y out on Tuesday ahead of the competition starting on Friday for the qualifiers in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

"We have chosen our best available. Currently we have 12 but we only need nine because of lack of funds. We are taking the minimum number that can make the team comfortable," Lakony said after training at the MTN Arena yesterday.

Uganda will contest against hosts Cameroon, Algeria, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, DR Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and Zimbabwe in the qualifiers starting on February 12.

Uganda needs $20000 (sh68m) for the team to compete in the qualifiers. An improved performance is expected from the team especially after the return of head coach Tonny Lakony this time round. Last year the team failed to qualify for the 2015 All Africa Games finals as they lost to Ethiopia and Kenya. Uganda finished fourth where only the top two qualified.

The squad: F. Nandaula, P. Busingye, M. Laker, Z. Kagoya, E. Niwabigaba, J. Nabuto, M. Namyalo, S. Nnungi, M. Mwamula, B. Jepkirui, I. Amoding, P. Alobo, F. Nandawula