Netball World Cup 2023: Tears of Joy as Mugerwa Trim She Cranes Team ahead of Residential Camp

The most tense and scaring moment for any athlete is the time of trimming the team especially ahead of a prestigious tournament like World Cup.

No difference from what happened on Friday evening at Kamwokya when the head coach of She Cranes Fred Mugerwa Tabale was trimming the team from 29 players to 20 who are going for residential training on Monday next week.

After the last training on Friday, the technical team, Acting president Brig.Gen. Flavia Byekwaso and the players had a meeting before the team manager Elizabeth Kitimbo announced the remaining 20.

The Acting president first had a talk with the girls and promised that they will be getting their residential training allowances in time because the government has already wired the money on the federation account, she has also confirmed that the none residential training allowance is already on their accounts.

At around 1900hrs, the manager has announced the team and some were seen crying with tears of Joy after being heard their names read. 

KCCA’s Annet Najjuka was among those who never expected to make the cut basing on her recent history on the national team, she has been the player who have been chopped whenever the time comes, she expected the same but to her surprise, she heard her name among those going for residential camp. She left the room while in tears.

The other players who have never expected a stat is the Weyonje Netball Club’s duo, shooter,Asinah Kabendera and Lillian Achola, Kabendera had no difference from Najjuka, she has been also not making cut until this time while Achola, it has been her first national team call and maybe her height is not that favoring her though she is one of the swift and fastest players on the team.

The head coach asserted that it has been a hard task for them to select the 20 out of the 29 since almost all the players are equally good.

“It wasn’t easy for us as know that most of the players we had during this training are almost at the same level but I sat down with my assistant and then we decided to look at each individual’s performance and the position they are playing. But the exercise has been not that easy but the ones we have remained with, we believe that they will do what we want them to do.” Says Coach Mugerwa Fred.

The team will be training from Africa Bible University in Lubowa and they are entering on Monday.

For starters, She Cranes is preparing for Netball World Cup which is due in late July in Cape Town.

The 20 players to Residential training camp that is starting on Monday.

Shooters:
Irene Eyaru (captain) (KCCA), Mercy Batamurinza (KCCA), Mary Nuba (Lightning UK), Namulumba Christine Kango (Prisons NC), Shadia Nassanga (KCCA), Kabendera Asinah (Weyonje NC)

Mid court players:
Sarah Nakiyunga (NIC), Annet Najjuka (KCCA), Joyce Nakibuule (Prisons), Norah Lunkuse (KCCA), Lillian Achola (Weyonje NC), Margret Baagala (NIC and Assistant Captain)

Defenders: 
Asingo Viola (Prisons NC), Hanisha Muhammad (KCCA), Nakitto Christine (KCCA), Stella Nanfuka (Prisons), Kayeny Privas (NIC), Nassaka Shakirah (Weyonje NC), Kadondi Faridah.(Weyonje NC), 
Shaffie Nalwanja (KCCA)

The dropped players:

Aguti Godlive (UPDF), Akello Malisera(Prisons), Amiya Penlop (NIC),
Amoding Harriet (Weyonje NC), Mugena Cecilia (UPDF), Nantumbwe Victoria (NIC), Sera Zam (NIC), Nassazi Bashira (UCU NC), Tausi Mumena (Prisons)