NETBALL: Masaka Gives She Cranes Real Vibe in Maiden Regional Tour
The tour of five regions started with Central region and Masaka City hosted the maiden tour on Sunday, 05, June, 2022.
The Masaka people of all sections warmly welcomed the She Cranes on their land and even requested for more after viewing at the Stars they have been watching only on Television and listening to them on radios.
“I am very excited, never seen this before, we have been seeing them on TV but I am happy that o have seen them physically, they play good netball and disciplined, I even saw them giving money to some old people here in Nyendo, I am really happy.” Said a local resides in Kasana Nyendo.
The team left Kampala on Saturday evening, Maria Flo Hotel accommodated them with a classic hospitality.
On Sunday morning, the team led by Assistant Manager, Charles Kirunda started the program with a Church Service at Kitovu Cathedral where they received blessings from the believers, prayed to the team to return home from Birmingham with victory. And before leaving the church premises, She Cranes had photo moments with the believers and younger ones who also attended the service.
At 10:30am, the contingent returned to Maria Flo hotel for a heavy breakfast before have a drive through Masaka City. The drive took almost an hour and its fruits were witnessed at Kasana playground where She Cranes had two exhibition matches with Masaka Select team.
After the drive, She Cranes went for community work at Nyendo Market, the exercise started with tree planting that was done by the Federation President, Hon. Babirye Kityo Sarah, Board of Trustee Member, Mrs. Eva Magala, She Cranes assistant captain, Joan Nampungu, Masaka Netball patron who doubles as the founder of Lubowa Sebina Foundation, Lubowa Ssebina Javiira. This was done as a gesture of conserving environment.
For starters, Lubowa Sebina Foundation in conjunction with delegates from Greater Masaka, were the chief organizers of the event and they were really on spot at everything that was done.
The She Cranes and officials from Federation joined the locals to clean the market.
Paul Kasozi, the chairperson of the Nyendo Market was very amused to see that the stars can interact with locals without any discrimination.
“I thought the stars don’t know how to sweep, they only know netball, but I am amused to see them freely interact with locals and cleaning our market, this is a very good gesture, it challenged us.” Chairman said before adding. “This is a big sport, but its like the government been not giving it much attention, but we that the leaders who brought us this team here.”
“We have been seeing them on TV but now they are here, thank you for bringing the she cranes, but we also ask you to help our girls, they have talent but we don’t know where to start from.” A business lady dealing in fish business asked the federation.
At around 2PM, the team arrived at Kasana playground to have the exhibition matches, the thousands of locals witnessed She Cranes lecturing their girls, the first match of two halves of 10 minutes per half ended 19-06 in favor of She Cranes team one and the last game of the same duration ended 16-03 again in favor the visitors second team.
“We are very happy that we have interacted with the locals, had community work with them, actually many didn’t know us but they gave us warm welcome, we vow that we shall serve them to keep their smiles on always.” Said Assistant Captain Joan Nampungu.
“The people of Masaka gave us a world class hospitality, the turn up bas been so good especially on our maiden tour, it showed us that the people love the game, we are going to continue with our program, the all of this month we are going to be having regional tours.” Vice President UNF, Harriet Apolot noted.
“As people of Masaka, we are very happy that we were the first thought of about the regional tours, we are blessed that the all central region, its we who were chosen to host, the people came, out girls rubbed shoulders with their stars, it gave them inspiration and by the time she cranes will come back here, there will be a great change because we have learnt a lot.” Said Lubowa Ssebina Javiira, Masaka Netball Patron.
The next tour for She Cranes will be in Eastern region, that is next weekend.