Uganda Beach Wooball Captain Onesmus Atamba is full of optimism as a contingent of 12 Woodball players departed for the Woodball World Cup in Malaysia this morning.
Atamba, a 7-time Woodball World Cup player will lead a team of talented and well-motivated team.
‘We are grateful to the government, our Federation and media for all the support granted to us during our preparations, the team is ready to win Gold’. A jovial Atamba said.
The team has been undergoing a one-month training at Bunjakko Beach in Mpigi District ahead of this global show piece.
This is the third edition of the World Cup, the 2023 edition being held in Pahang, Malaysia just after a long break from COVID-19 pandemic.
Uganda will join host Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Chinese Taipei, Korea, India, Pakistani, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Kenya.
In the last edition held at Munyonyo, Uganda came second behind Chinese Taipei, got a total of 16 medals (6 Gold and 4 Silver)
Three other players from Bank of Uganda are also on the trip to compete in the Malaysian Open which will run concurrently with the World Cup.
Team Uganda
Name: George Isabirye (head coach)
Date of birth: July 1, 1956
Debut as coach: China 2014
Occupation: Hungarian-trained handball coach with UPDF
Name: Enabu Erick (assistant coach)
Date of birth: October 14, 1992
Club: Stroke woodball/Uneb
National team debut: 2021
Occupation: Public Administrator
Major wins: 1st Africa woodball championship.
Name: Robert Mutiibwa
Date of birth: March 7, 1994
Club: Mubs
National team debut: 2019
Occupation: Electrical engineer with Umeme
Major wins: Bronze fairway doubles second World Cup championship and gold fairway team.
Name: Michael Musaazi
Date of birth: Sept 8, 2002
Club: Kisubi Corporates
National team debut: 2023
Occupation: Student
Major wins: Gold medal Uganda Open 2023 (Corporates).
Name: Jackline Naula
Date of birth: February 17, 1994
Team: Ministry of Public Service
National team debut: 2019
Profession: Procurement Assistant
Major wins: Ladies champion Ndejje Open 2022.
Name: Ronald Mulindwa
Date of birth: April 6, 1994
Club: Makerere University Business School
National team debut: 2021
Occupation: Computer scientist
Major wins: Gold Ndejje Open 2016, Kenya Open gold mixed doubles, Uganda Open champion 2021.
Name: Onesmus Atamba
Date of birth: March 26, 1985
Club: Ndejje Corporates
National team debut: 2010 World Cup, Thailand
Occupation: Administrator
Major wins: Gold at 2017 World Cup in Indonesia
Name: Israel Muwanguzi
Date of birth: April 2, 1989
Club: Eminents
National team debut: 2010 W. Cup in Munyonyo
Major wins: Gold at 2017 Uganda International at Kisubi
Name: Thomas Keddi
Date of birth: Dec 17, 1994
Club: Stroke
National team debut: 2019 W. Cup in Entebbe
Occupation: Psychologist
Major wins: Gold at 2019 Africa Championship
Name: Florence Mukoya
Date of birth: Jan 10, 1995
Club: MUBS
National team debut: 2018 W. Cup in Thailand
Occupation: Banker
Major wins: 2019 Uganda Int’l Open gold
Name: Joyce Nalubega
Date of birth: Nov 29, 1992
Club: Ministry of Public Service
National team debut: 2017 Beach W. Cup in Indonesia
Occupation: Accountant
Major wins: Bronze at 2017 Beach W. Cup
Name: Christine Birungi
Date of birth: Aug 19, 1998
Club: Ndejje University
National team debut: 2021 Africa Championship
Major wins: Uganda Open champion 2921 and 2022.
Name: Joan Mukoova
Date of birth: Oct 9, 1998
Club: Unattached
National team debut: 2014 W. Cup in China
Occupation: Electrical Engineer
Major wins: Silver in mixed doubles in 2014, China.
Name: Lillian Zawedde Kijjambu
Date of birth: 18/09/every year
Club: Ndejje Corporate Woodball Club
National team debut: 8th time
Occupation: N/A
Major wins: World Cup S. Korea-Gold & Bronze, World Cup Thailand – Gold. Six-time Uganda MVP, six-time USPA player of the year. Ranked number 3 in 2016.
Name: Josephine Nantongo
Team: Bank of Uganda
National team debut: None
Profession: Banker
Major win: Gold medal Women’s Day singles 2022. Gold medal 4th Kenya beach Open.
Name: Kennedy Mutungisa
Date of Birth: 25/05/1990
Club: Bank of Uganda Woodball Club
National team Debut: None
Occupation: Banker
Major wins: Gold medal at 4th Kenya Open International Beach Woodball 2022.
Name: Osire William Likiriat
CLUB: Bou woodball club
NATIONAL TEAM DEBUT:
Sanya China in 2014.
OCCUPATION: Banker
MAJOR WINS;
2015 Gold in Gate in One Singapore open .
2016 – Bronze Korea open.
2016- Gold in Ug International open.
2018- Silver in Kenya open
2022- Gold in Beach woodball in Mombasa.
2022- Silver in Kenya open.
