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Acting Uganda Netball Federation President Flavia Byekwaso expressed her gratitude for the government's financial support, emphasizing its significance in ensuring the team's readiness.
With just 50 days to the Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, the She Cranes, received a much-needed boost as the government wired UGX 900 million to support their preparations.
However, concerns still loom over the team's training facilities and the urgency to solidify their training plans.
On Tuesday, the She Cranes officially launched their World Cup campaign at Africa Bible University in Lubowa, where they were treated to an event filled with enthusiasm and optimism.
State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, served as the guest of honour, providing assurance regarding the required preparations for the upcoming tournament.
Acting Uganda Netball Federation President Flavia Byekwaso expressed her gratitude for the government's financial support, emphasizing its significance in ensuring the team's readiness.
"The reason we are here today is to launch residential training. It is an achievement that the girls' arrears are paid, and going forward, we shall make sure their monies are paid," stated Byekwaso.
“These are not just my achievements but they are projects that the previous president and the entire executive put in place to ensure the game grows.”
However, concerns were raised by the team's captain, Irene Eyaru, regarding the adequacy of the training facilities.
Eyaru highlighted the unsuitable court conditions at Africa Bible University, appealing to Minister Ogwang for access to the Lugogo arena, a venue with appropriate facilities for their training needs.
In response, Minister Ogwang reassured the team of the government's commitment to their participation in the Netball World Cup.
He promised that all players' allowances for training and participation would be directly wired to their accounts before their departure to South Africa.
Ogwang also expressed his determination to rectify the facility issue, stating, "How can a national team qualify for the World Cup when they lack a training facility from the Government when I am the minister?"
“I direct that let's have a meeting with the National Council of Sports that I will chair, let us agree on the timing of your training,” said Ogwang.
The She Cranes have had two training bases over the four weeks of preparations for the World Cup, and are expected to shift to Lugogo soon.
The She Cranes are training and camping at the Africa Bible University in Lubowa after spending some time at the Kamwokya Sports Centre.
The indoor facility in Lubowa comes with challenges beyond the team's control, specifically, the nature of the surface at the facility which players have described as too slippery for their liking, forcing the change of plan.
The She Cranes are going for their fourth World Cup, their third straight showpiece and are in Group D alongside New Zealand, Singapore and Trinidad and Tobago.
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