Team Uganda sends three stars to the Commonwealth Games

What better build-up can one have than the Commonwealth Games?

There surely can’t be better preparation for a major competition such as the World Netball University Championships.

The She Cranes trio of Betty Kizza, Joan Nampungu and Muhaimuna Namuwaya have this rare privilege as they represent Uganda at the Gold Coast games.

The Nkumba University players will after the games turn their focus to the global University Netball event that will be staged at Makerere from September 17 to 21.

“It is a rare opportunity to have such a high profile tune-up. It should greatly boost our preparations,” noted Kizza shortly before the team’s departure for Australia.

The April 5 to 15 games will bring Uganda face to face with the crème de la crème of netball.

Uganda is in Pool B with 2014 games silver medalists New Zealand, England, Malawi, Wales and Scotland.

The top two teams will qualify for the semi-finals.

“This is very good preparation for the world meet.In Uganda it is rare to have such preparation,” said Nkumba University Games Tutor Patrick Ssebuliba.

Kizza is a versatile player whose game should greatly improve in Australia. She can play as a setter, wing attacker and wing defender.

“I really wish more team members were part of the Commonwealth team,” she said as the team prepared for its first group match against New Zealand.

Namuwaya, who can play as goalkeeper and wing defender, just can’t wait to give it her best at both competitions.

“My dream is to turn professional in one of the big leagues in either England  or Australia.” That’s understandable especially following the sparkling show of team-mate Peace Proscovia in England’s Vitality League.

Proscovia who is Uganda’s captain in Australia has had an outstanding career with Loughborough Lightning in the UK.

Nampungu also has big dreams. Like her two team-mates she is also multi skilled with the ability to play as goalkeeper, goal defender and wing defender.

“Uganda is enjoying very good form. I pray we end up with medals in both competitions with medals.”