She Cranes gets Shs103m lifeline

Uganda’s Peace Proscovia is sandwiched by Ireland players during the first game on Monday. Photo by Agencies

Kampala- After traveling to Singapore over the weekend uncertain about their feeding and upkeep among other things, Uganda netball team, the She Cranes has received a Shs103 million boost from President Museveni.

The money, released through Speaker Rebecca Kadaga on Tuesday, will help facilitate the team during the 8th Netball Nations Cup competition underway in Singapore.
Other teams in the six day tournament that opened on Sunday are Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka and the United States.

The Uganda Netball Federation (UNF) president, Susan Anek told Daily Monitor before leaving for Singapore, yesterday, that the team was grateful for the offer.
“This money will be used to cover our accommodation, buy jerseys, allowances as well as buy extra tickets for the four man team that is traveling this evening,” Anek added.

Earlier, the National Council of Sports (NCS) had given the national team around Shs50m, half of the total money needed for their trip. This was used to fly out only 12 players and an official without the team manager.

However, the players were later forced to part with $150 (Shs380,000) from their allowances to re-schedule a missed flight.

Anek left with She Cranes team manager, Joselyn Uchanda, and two extra players; Alice Nanteza and Rachel Nanyonga.
Yesterday, the team hammered team Singapore 60-32 in their third test in Toa Payoh Sports Hall.

She Cranes made a strong start in the first quarter and never looked back to take a 27-20 lead by halftime. Goal shooter Peace Proscovia played a brilliant part with Halima Nakachwa (wing attacker) in moving the ball swiftly from centre to circle and goal attacker/shooter, Martha Soigi was unstoppable.

The Ugandan team then stretched their lead to 41-24 with four minutes remaining in the third quarter.

This win follows the 54-41 drubbing of Ireland and a 52-52 draw with team Papua New Guinea.

The tournament will also help Uganda get ranked.
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