Canons display early intent, Ndejje notch woodball gold
Nkumba Lady Marines coach Julius Lutwama (R) looks on as Kampala Univ.’s Martha Soigi (L) challenges his player Muhayimina Namuwaya yesterday. Photo by Ismail Kezaala.
What you need to know:
The hosts are primed to finish top of Group A in men’s basketball as they look for their first ever varsity title but Ndejje will not wait that long for honours, as they claimed gold in woodball.
Mukono - Today should provide a beholding spectacle for track and field lovers as athletes get to serious business at the ongoing Inter-University Games at Uganda Christian University (UCU), Mukono.
But as we await prospecting medal winners from the track, woodball – one of the most recent sports in the country – did not wait long to produce the first gold; overall reigning Games champions Ndejje claiming it.
Lillian Zawedde paired with Charity Agaba to beat Viola Opera and Cissy Nakato ( all of Ndejje) in the ladies doubles, shooting 52 strokes, with the runners-up stroking 57 to claim silver.
Joel Adupa and Bruno Bossa also defeated John Musiime and Francis Tumwebaze of Mubs; the pair posting 55 strokes for Ndejje’s second gold, while in mixed doubles Onesmus Atamba and Daniella Nabukalu beat Collins Kamoga and Vicky Nankabirwa (52 strokes) to make it three gold medals and two silver for the champions. Onto the basketball courts, UCU Canons defeated defending champions KIU 50-45 never needed second gear as they registered their third straight victory; comfortably beating KU 51-36 as coach Nicholas Natuhereza’s boys look to win the hosts’ maiden men’s title.
“Sure,” admitted Natuhereza, “We have to win it this time because if we don’t, we will be very disappointed.”
Should UCU – who had all their stars in action bar Martin Okwako (above 28 years) and Syrus Kiviri (not a student) - top Group A, they will avoid the other favourites Ndejje, who top Group B with six points after two comfortable victories over Mbarara and Makerere, in the quarterfinals.
“Of course you cannot look beyond us, KIU and UCU,” said Walker Obedi, the Ndejje coach, “But we shall push it as far as we can go.” The UCU women also beat Makerere 58-38.
In football, Ndejje handed Kabale a 4-0 hiding, Rogers Aloro grabbing a brace and Hood Kalumba and Joseph Muluya netting the rest to go top of Group A on four points. Mubs went second on the same points after a 1-0 win over Bishop Stuart.
