Four key netball questions begging answers in 2017
Change of guard. Alice Nanteza (L) of NIC tries to challenge Stella Oyella (R) of Prisons during the National League at Namboole last year. PHOTO BY I. KEZAALA
What you need to know:
- Netball. The game has reportedly gone back into slumber mood with some of the happenings prior to the 2015 World Cup appearance unfortunately rearing their ugly heads on and off the netball courts.
KAMPALA.
Since the She Cranes played at the 2015 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, netball had begun to slowly slide back into its unenviable position as Uganda’s promising but less loved sport. 2016, however, posed some questions to the netball fraternity whose answers must set the ball rolling in 2017.
Is Prisons the new NIC?
Since the decline of traditional clubs like Police, Posta and Railways among others, in the ‘90s, NIC had dominated netball, winning almost everything on offer.
In fact, since 1999, only Prisons once interrupted this otherwise boring monopoly, by winning the 2012 league trophy.
Such was NIC’s dominance that if you missed their match, all you needed to ask is: “by how many goals did NIC win?” Well, Prisons another traditional giant, are waking up from the slumber to turn the tide.
Since winning the 2015 league title, Prisons have beaten NIC in all battles: In the offseason, they signed two national team forwards Stella Oyella and Hadija Nakabuye from NIC.
The two, alongside stars like Lilian Ajio, Florence Nanyonga, Halima Nakacwa, Jessica Achan, have been an integral part in coach Imelda Nyongesa’s title-retaining campaign and failing NIC’s shot at redemption.
With influential shooter Peace Proscovia returning to Loughborough Lightning in London and dependable wing defender Suzan Mukala joining Police, NIC began 2016 with a depleted squad and a seniority deficiency.
Before the league title defence in November, Prisons had beaten NIC to the East Africa Club Championship in April and the inaugural Injectaplan trophy in October, having won all their encounters and importantly against rivals NIC. With coach Nyongesa hoping to further bolster her midfield, shall Prisons maintain their top spot in 2017 or NIC will bounce back?
Can we court more sponsors?
Local netball tournaments lack the pomp of elite sport and champions sometimes walk away empty handed, without even the cheapest trophy. This can partly be blamed on the federation’s lack of a marketing strategy.
To challenge the federation, football philanthropist Lawrence Mulindwa pumped some cash into the national league in terms of trophies, medals and cash prizes. Champions bagged Shs5m, runners-up Shs3m and Shs2m respectively at a colourful closing ceremony at Namboole Stadium court.
Mulindwa set the trend but he was clear it was just for once. Question: Did the federation pick a lesson? Shall we see more Mulindwas injecting cash into the league next season?
Shall the She Pearls shine?
The She Pearls, Uganda’s Under 21 team, qualified for the 2017 World Youth Netball Championships after finishing a commendable show in the Africa qualifiers in Gaborone, Botswana.
Annet Kisomose, the federation’s general secretary told us yesterday that 30 girls have been summoned for training at Namboole Stadium next week.
If the National Council of Sports council provides the funds, she said, the girls will be residing at Kireka Gramma Junior School.
After three weeks, they will be reduced to 20, who will enter another preparation phase perhaps in May ahead of the tournament in July.
It is not yet clear who—of Imelda Nyongesa, Nelson Bogere (who handled the team at the qualifiers) and She Cranes coach Rashid Mubiru—will coach this team back to Gaborone for the final tournament but the most paramount question is: Shall the Pearls, a team deemed with the potential to gradually succeed the aging She Cranes, shine in Gaborone?
Where did the four go after Miami?
After The Mighty Cranes finished fourth at the second World University Netball Championships in July, Uganda’s university netball side left Miami, Florida with four players less. Sarah Nakitende, Suzan Atino, Joan Ameo and Flavia Nakanwagi, stayed in the US to seek the proverbial greener pastures.
It was no surprise to those in the know, because it was a common rumour throughout the build-up. Team manager Florence Nakamya, coach Mubiru and the federation could neither condemn their action nor explain their destinations but Daily Monitor understands they have since settled for jobs off the court. So, what precedent does it set for future travelling teams?
