She Cranes one victory away from World Cup
She Cranes player Hadijah Nakachwa displays her medal collection after Uganda won the Six Nations Championship in Singapore last year. The She Cranes will secure a ticket to next year’s Netball World Cup in Sydney if they defeat Swaziland tonight. PHOTO BY Ismail Kezaala
What you need to know:
Netball. Uganda defeated hosts Botswana yesterday to make it three wins out of three games.
Kampala.
The 2015 Netball World Cup is now within reach for Uganda. The She Cranes overwhelmed hosts Botswana 47-32 yesterday to remain the only unbeaten team in the ongoing qualifiers in Gaborone.
Despite being up against the home side, Uganda’s steely display earned them some backing from the crowd.
“The atmosphere was terrific,” She Cranes captain Peace Proscovia told Daily Monitor on phone after the game. “The spectators created a motivating environment for both teams. They cheered us on whenever we made some nice moves. They loved it and the atmosphere helped us play our best game.”
Uganda got off a flying start, taking the first quarter 12-6. By the end of the second quarter, the She Cranes had built a 10-point lead (23-13) and they never looked back.
The She Cranes take on Swaziland today and will secure a ticket to the World Cup with victory.
The Ugandan team will not struggle to find motivation going into today’s game as the sports ministry yesterday released Shs50m to facilitate their stay in Gaborone. The team, which left last week, travelled with only Shs600,000 for upkeep and players were unsure of receiving allowances. But Uganda Netball Federation (UNF) president Susan Anek leaves this evening with the cash boost, which she received from sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi yesterday.
“We had earlier promised the girls Shs45m,” Bakkabulindi told Daily Monitor. “But we decided to increase the money because the girls are playing very well.”
Team manager Jocelyn Uchanda left last evening to join his girls. “They have been worried about hotel bills but now everything has been taken care of,” Uchanda said. Uganda were last at the World Cup in 1979.
