Netball league teams to finally get prize money

Aug 24, 2016

Former FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa offered sh5m, a trophy and medals for the winning team

National Netball League

There is now more reason for netball teams battling in the top division to step up their performances as the national league resumes on September 10th at Namboole Stadium. 

 

This was after former FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa offered sh5m, a trophy and medals for the winning team this season.

The prize money will into history as the first ever cash prize the Uganda Netball Federation (UNF) will give away though according to Mulindwa, it's intended to motivate and reward players for their efforts. 

"The only way we can push and make these players feel the need to play professional is through paying them and its time we joined the government in supporting sports as concerned citizens," he stated. 

He made the remarks as he hosted the U21 netball team for a luncheon at Imperial Resort Beach, Entebbe on Tuesday. 

Besides sh5m for the winner, Mulindwa also offered sh3m and sh2m for the first and second runners-up. 

 

 

He later appealed to the federation to look at possible ways of marketing the sport and looking out for potential sponsors. 

"I have laid the foundation and you should work hard to maintain it. The federation should look at the bigger picture and not take the game for pleasure but rather an investment for the players".  

"Netball has the potential to attract sponsors being a ladies' sport but it seems there is something missing and you should know that sponsors are like bees, they will not come to pollinate a flower that is not colourful," said Mulindwa. 

Prisons netball team is leading the top division with 10 points with NIC and Police in second and third place respectively. Other teams in the league include UCU, KCCA and UPDF.   

At the function that was organized in appreciation of the youth team having qualified to compete at the Youth Netball World Cup, Mulindwa also pledged to facilitate the team's preparations ahead of the tournament slated for July next year in Botswana.

 

 

"I am not coming in as a sponsor but a well-wisher especially to a winning team like this one and I'm willing to support the U21 team during the preparations as we wait for government to give them the tickets and other necessary requirements," he said. 

He asked UNF boss Suzan Anek and her team to be transparent as they continue to look for sponsors to come on board if they are to sustain the teams and better their chances of attaining good results at the upcoming international events. 

Besides the youth world cup, next year Uganda will also host the Africa Netball Championships and the University Netball Championships in 2018. 

They will also have to prepare the senior team for the Netball World Cup slated for 2019 in England and according to Mulindwa UNF should take the initiative to groom young talent if they are to improve on their performances in the various events.

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