By: Kayiira Jackson
The 2023 East Africa Netball Championship Most Valuable Player, Ayaa Gloria and experienced shooter, Racheal Nanyonga make the final cut as the She Cranes technical team reveals the traveling squad to Namibia for the 2024 Africa Netball Championship.
The traveling squad has 14 players, five shooters, four mid court players and five defenders.
Ayaa who had joined National Insurance Corporation (NIC) netball club last year, has been progressing steadily, missed out on the team that traveled to New Zealand for Fast Five World Series where Uganda finished third. However, the 20 year old swift defender got her maiden international travel after impressing her coach in national team training.
“Before the names were out, everyone was wondering, who is going and who is staying, but I am happy the I got a chance to make the final travelling squad, I have worked for this and I was yearning for it.” Said happy Ayaa.
“Of course when I am given a chance to play, I will give 100% on the court and even help my team to perform.” She added.
The other new faces on the team are; the experienced shooter from NIC netball club, Racheal Nanyonga, she made a surprise return to the national team fold four years of no show and mid court player, Filedaus Namulema also from NIC.
This is the first time Uganda is returning to Netball Africa championship since 2021 when the finished second behind South Africa.
The team that is under the stewardship of coach Nelson James Bogere shall be traveling to Namibia on Thursday morning at 2:45am boarding Ethiopian Airlines.
The tournament is to throw off on 09th December at MTC DOME in Swakopmund Municipality in Namibia.
The She Cranes Traveling Squad:
Shooters: Irene Eyaru (captain), Namulumba Christine Kango,Nassanga Shadia, Mary Nuba Cholhok,Racheal Nanyonga.
Midcourt; Margret Baagala,Nakibuule Joyce,Filedaus Namulema, Batamuliza Mercy.
Defenders; Sandra Nambirige,Nakitto Christine,Kadondi Falidah,Haniisha Muhameed, Aya Gloria.
The teams in the Africa Netball Championship;
Female; Eswatini,Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia (Hosts),South Africa,Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Men; Burundi,Eswatini,Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia,South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
