The provisional squad for Uganda’s She Cranes netball team has been announced ahead of the 2023 Netball World Cup, with 30 players selected based on their club performances.
The team will begin training on April 17, with the home-based players participating three days a week to balance their club commitments.
Three foreign-based players – Mary Nuba Cholhok, Peace Proscovia, and Stella Oyella – will join the team after completing their league assignments.
The World Cup will take place from July 28 to August 6 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa, with She Cranes drawn into Group D alongside New Zealand, Trinidad & Tobago, and Singapore. The team’s first fixture will be against Singapore.
Irene Eyaru has been named captain for now, until the foreign-based players arrive.
Because of the summoning of their best players to She Cranes, most of the ladies’ teams have been left with few players, so the team will have a couple of practice games with the men’s team to prepare for the competition.
The provisional squad features ten shooters, including Mary Nuba Cholhok, Peace Proscovia, and Stella Oyella, who play for UK and Scotland clubs, making the team strong in this position.
The midcourt squad includes experienced players like Baagala Margret, Akello Malisera, and Nakiyunga Sarah, with Amiya Penlop the only new face.
Defenders in the squad include Faridah Kadondi, Hanisha Muhammed, and Shakirah Nassaka, as well as newcomers Nalule Flavia and Nassaazi Bashira.
Head coach Mugerwa Fred will lead the She Cranes’ technical team, with Sarah Namuddu serving as an assistant coach.
The team hopes to make a good impression at the 2023 Netball World Cup and progress to the later stages of the competition.
The Provisional Squad
Shooters
Namulumba Christine Kango (Prisons Netball Club)Sera Zam (NIC)Aguti Godlive (UPDF)Asinah Kabendela (Weyonje)Amoding Harriet (Weyonje)Irene Eyaru (KCCA)Nassanga Shadia (KCCA)Mary Nuba Cholhok (Loughborough Lightning, UK)Peace Proscovia (Storm Surrey, UK)Oyella Stella (Sirens, Scotland)
Midcourt Players
Baagala Margret (NIC)Akello Malisera (Prisons)Nakibuule Joyce (Prison)Nakiyunga Sarah (NIC)Lunkuse Norah (KCCA)Najjuka Annet (KCCA)Achola Lillian (Weyonje)Nantumbwe Victoria (NIC)Amiya Penlop (NIC)
Defenders
Kadondi Faridah (Weyonje)Hanisha Muhammed (KCCA)Nassaka Shakirah (Weyonje)Nakitto Christine (KCCA)Kayeny Privas (NIC)Nassaazi Bashira (UCU)Nanfuka Stella (Prisons)Asingo Viola (Prisons)Nalule Flavia (Police)Tausi Mumena (Prisons)Shaffie Nalwanja (KCCA)Nakitto Christine (KCCA)
Technical Team
Head Coach: Mugerwa Fred
Assistant Coach: Namuddu Sarah
