The Uganda U21 netball team has this morning departed for Botswana ahead of the 2017 World Youth Netball Cup.
The contingent of 16 comprising of 12 players and 4 officials left Entebbe International airport on Tuesday morning at 03:00 am aboard Ethiopian airways.
After several days of intensive training the team was selected on Monday morning and later on flagged off by National Council of Sports to go and represent the country.
The team will be captained by goal shooter Joan Nampungu while Sharifa Nalunkuma is the assistant captain.
Centre Betty Kiiza who played an integral role as She Cranes won the African Netball championship last week is also part of the squad.
Uganda is in group C alongside Malaysia, Cooks Island, Jamaica and hosts Botswana.
The championship that will have 20 nations competing starts on July 8 to 16 in Botswana’s capital Gaborone and will be played in two venues; University of Botswana Indoor arena and Ditshups Hall.
New Zealand is the defending champions after clinching the title in 2013 in Glasgow, Scotland.
The She Pearls will start the campaign against Malaysia on 9th July.
She Pearls Squad
Joan Nampugu( Capt ) , Sharifa Nalunkuma ( Asst ) , Stella Zaam , Florence Adunia, Betty Kiizza, Joyce Nakibuule, Fauzia Nakibuule, Janet Adongo, Safi Nalwajja , Kevin Aber , Ramula Nakalyago,Irene Eyaru Officials : James Bogere ( Head Coach) , Imelda Nyongesa( Asst Coach) , Stella Kwebiiha ( Team Manager ) and Paul Stephen Ayella ( Team Doctor)
Groups
Group A
New Zealand, Sri Lanka,Scotland, Northern Ireland and Samoa
Group B
Australia, South Africa, Barbados, Zimbabwe and Singapore
Group C
Jamaica, Botswana, Cook Island, Malaysia and Uganda
Group D
England, Fiji,Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada