Brig. Byekwaso assures stability and support to She Cranes

She Cranes players undertake a training drill at the Kamwokya Training Centre | Photo Credit: Courtesy

NETBALL Brig. Byekwaso assures stability and support to She Cranes

Shafic Kiyaga • 12:45 - 02.05.2023

Byekwaso, who was recently installed as the interim president of the Uganda Netball Federation (UNF), visited the team's training camp to reassure the players amidst ongoing controversies in the sport.

Brig. Flavia Byekwaso's visit to the She Cranes' camp is seen as a positive step towards restoring stability and confidence in the team as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup in South Africa.

Byekwaso, who was recently installed as the interim president of the Uganda Netball Federation (UNF), visited the team's training camp to reassure the players amidst ongoing controversies in the sport.

"I have come to encourage you, I don’t want you to panic," Brig. Byekwaso told the players.

"Sarah Babirye Kityo is still president, I am only helping her for three months, but in the meantime, I am going to fight to get the She Cranes camp smiling again," she provided reassurance.

Last week, the Minister of Education and Sports and Uganda's First Lady, Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni during a high stakes meeting that involved various officials decreed to suspend UNF President Sarah Babirye for three months while investigations are conducted into allegations of financial mismanagement and sexual misconduct by some officials.

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The situation came to a head during a high-stakes meeting at the State House in Nakasero, where representatives from the National Council of Sports (NCS), UNF, and former She Cranes players met with the Minister of Education and Sports and First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni.

During her visit to the She Cranes' camp, Byekwaso assured the players that the ongoing issues within the federation should not distract them from their preparations for the World Cup.

She expressed her commitment to ensuring that the team receives the necessary support to perform well in the tournament.

She also announced that the government and National Council of Sports (NCS) have agreed to provide UBF with UGX 968 million to address the federation's financial challenges.

Byekwaso pledged to ensure that the team receives their allowances, pensions, and transportation ahead of the tournament.

"I know most of the players have been not receiving their allowances, but we will resolve these issues as soon as the money reaches the club's account," Byekwaso said.

"I ask you to be united, without division, if there is anything that goes wrong, contact the leaders and avoid betraying ourselves, gossiping about our colleagues, and beating ourselves up."

Byekwaso urged the team to remain united and avoid any division, emphasizing the importance of communication and teamwork.

She also promised to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct within the federation and urged anyone with evidence to come forward.

Up to 27 She Cranes players in the domestic league are par taking in training at the Kamwokya Sports Center.

The She Cranes, currently ranked eighth in the world will be making their fourth appearnace at the World Cup, and third consecutive appearance since returning to the world stage in 2015. They finished seventh at the previous tournament.

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The situation came to a head during a high-stakes meeting at the State House in Nakasero, where representatives from the National Council of Sports (NCS), UNF, and former She Cranes players met with the Minister of Education and Sports and First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni.