National Council of Sports (NCS) has made an 11th hour intervention helping the Uganda U18 women’s basketball team (the young gazelles) with 5 air tickets.
The young gazelles team were bound to pull out of the FIBA U18 women’s Afro basketball championships citing lack of finances to facilitate the team
The NCS however, has come out on Thursday to help the team with five air tickets for five players while the remaining ticket will be met by Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA).
“We are glad that National Council of sports has offered a helping hand to us by giving us five tickets,” said FUBA Vice President Administration, Nasser Sserunjogi
However, the expected number of twelve players has been cut to just eight with four players from St. Mary’s Kitende deciding to feature for their school at the East African Secondary School games in Eldoret, Kenya.
The four players are; Hope Agnes Akello, Everlyn Nakiyingi, Hanisha,Nambassa and Nadia Mutanda Nagginda.
The young gazelles qualified for the Afro championship for the first time after winning the Zone V in June this year in Kampala.
The team is expected to depart for Egypt on Friday Morning.
Mali are the defending champions and the top two teams from the FIBA U18 women’s Afro basketball championship that runs from 26th August to 4th September in Cairo, Egypt, will represent Africa at next year’s U19 World championships in Turin, Italy.
Team going to Egypt
Patience Akankunda
Melissa Akullo
Joan Namatovu
Hajjara Najjuko
Aliya Naluyima
Rita Salafina Dulisira
Brenda Edith Ayere
Mayimuna Nabbosa
Nelson Onyuta: Head coach
Martin Kelly: Assistant coach
Grace Kwizera: Leader of delegation