KAMPALA: The She Cranes’ head coach, Fred Mugerwa, has trimmed the team to 20 players to kick off regional tours as they prepare for the forthcoming 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. The coach chose the 20 players from the 28 local players who were on the provisional squads he called for two weeks ago.
He says that the decision was made after assessing the performance of local-based players in the two weeks of nonresidential training that has been taking place at Treasure Life Center-TLC arena in Kamwokya.
After weeks of intense training in Kamwokya, the team will now commence regional tours, starting with Masaka on June 5th, 2022, to have build-up games as well as popularise the team before flying to Birmingham.
Speaking after trimming the squad, Mugerwa said all the players in camp were competent, but the technical bench picked those that had better performances and good form to create a crème de la crème squad for the championship.
Among the players that failed to cut the cross include the most valuable player of the 2021 Netball Super League, Shakira Nassaka, Lillian Ajio, and Stella Nanfuka, among others. Mugerwa said that he is not looking at the regional tours as major build-up games but rather to sensitise the public about the cranes.
After the regional tours, the team will return to Kampala to continue with the preparations. Mugerwa says that they will have build-up games with the men’s national netball team, the Rock.
The She Cranes are one of the teams that qualified to represent Uganda in the July-August Games by virtue of their World Netball ranking as of January 31st, 2022.
The team ranks 6th globally and 2nd on the African continent, below South Africa and above Malawi. The She Cranes earned this after finishing second in the African Netball Championship and winning the Africa Pent Series.
The remaining 20 local-based players’ squad has goal shooters and attackers, including Stella Oyella, Hanisha Muhammed, Kabendela Asinah, Namulumba Christine, Nassanga Shadia, and Irene Eyaru.
Mid-court players include Margret Baagala, Sarah Nakiyunga, Jessica Achan, Alicia Wasagali, Birungi Conchepta Desire, and Norah Lunkuse, while defenders include Shakirah Nakanyike, Rose Namutebi, Viola Asingo, Joan Nampungu, Sandra Nambirige, Shaffie Nalwanja, Kayeny Privas, and Kadondi Faridah.
