OPINION: Mary Nuba is a perfect role model for young girls

As women's sport continues to ascend in popularity in Uganda, it has become more appealing and exciting to keep tabs on.

That cannot happen without our female athletes raising the national flag high through sheer determination, good branding, and hard work.

Mary Cholhok Nuba is a big example of what it means to be a star and inspire others. The 23-year-old has had ups and downs in life but her story is quite remarkable.

When her father passed, moved to Uganda from South Sudan due to civil wars and instability. The hope of being someone important was minimal.

Sport has a lot of benefits but it takes courage to start, right!?. Nuba didn't know what netball was even though she was trying out the sport at a younger age until one of her high school teachers spotted.

Slowly by slowly, she started getting the skills and more interested in the sport. But just like any other young girl who loves sports, it was not a smooth ride.

Nuba got pregnant six months to her high school final exams. She hang on and gave birth to a baby boy. You must be thinking, what happened to her career and how she managed the challenges of being a new mother?.

Despite the challenges and goodwill from her parents, Mary never gave up on her dream because she knew netball was her only pathway to success. She joined Nkumba University and the rest is history.

She has represented the nation with the She Cranes in different engagements such as the Netball African Championships and World Cup in England last year.

Mary Nuba currently plays for Loughborough Lightning in England. For her to thrive in England, she has to keep winning and endless opportunities will keep knocking at her door.

You're a young girl, sports enthusiast. Go chase your dreams. Mary did it, why not you?

The writer is an analyst on SportsWoman (Thursday, 2.30 pm on Urban TV)