UMEA Solidarity Games: Ngando SS Retains Netball Trophy as the Hosts Kawanda Express Dirty Behaviors On Final

Last updated Apr 10, 2023

Ngando Secondary School proved to be still exceptional in the UMEA Solidarity Games when it comes to Netball discipline.

The Wamala Butambala based Islamic School owned by Hajji Najib Kivumbi retained the trophy they last won in 2019, to reach this other glory, they bet the host’s side B, Kawanda SS in the final held on Monday afternoon.

Ngando SS girls Celebrating with their director, Hajji Najib Kivumbi

The Eppa Richard coached side beat indisciplined Kawanda SS by a margin of five goals following a 25-20 final score.

Being the hosts, one would expect maximum discipline that can portray the good image of the institute but to Kawanda SS Netball team it was opposite.

Mr. Richard Muhumuza trying to settle the matters with the technical bench

In second half of the game, the Kawanda SS technical bench exhibited inhumane behaviors when a one coach in Charles attacked the umpire which forced the game to be stopped for a number of minutes and the game to resume, the security had to come to protect the Umpires and to send Kawanda’s coach off the bench.

Coach Charles of Kawanda SS leaving the court

And the officials plus Kawanda’s players were heard on many occasions threatening to boycott the game if the umpires on Court were not changed, however, the Netball commissioner, Mr. Richard Muhumuza tried and settled the matters before the game resumed and finally won by Ngando SS.

“The officiating was not good, I don’t know whether the Netball rules changed today, we were not given the advantage, the players were not accepted to steal the balls, surely it wasn’t good but I cant base only on that but maybe it wasn’t our luck but the team is good and it’s ready for nationals.” Says Ssebaggala Steven, the other Kawanda SS Coach.

Eppa Richard, the the tactician for Ngando SS based their victory on early preparations, teamwork and great support from the school administration.

“This year the competition has been great, but this victory is based on the early preparations, great support from our director, Hajji Najib Kivumbi he has put all it needs to see that the game of Netball at the school go high. The cooperation from the school administration and the hard work from the girls gave us the win.” Says Eppa.

One of the best players in the tournament, Ngando SS centre player, Ngabirano Fortunate also revealed what has helped them to win and what the win means to her.

“I feel so happy today, I wanted to win this for my school because this is my last year in high school, so as a player I had to do all it takes to see that we win and another thing that has helped us to win, we worked as a team, never blamed each other but to encourage each other, our focus was on the game not anything else and that has helped us.” Fortunate says.

In the 3rd place playoff, Madina Islamic beat Kibuli SS by 33-29 to walk away with the bronze.