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Representing your country on the biggest stage in sports, like the World Cup, is every athlete's dream, and being told that you didn't make it is always tough news to accept.
It was the case as Fred Mugerwa named the 20 players who will stay in camp as the She Cranes continue to prepare for the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.
Shooters Sera Zam (NIC), Godlive Aguti (UPDF), and Harriet Amoding (Weyonje) all didn't make it, as Mugerwa broke the news on Friday evening.
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The others are mid-court players in Malisera Akello (Prisons), Victoria Nantumbwe (NIC), and Penlop Amiya (NIC).
Together with defenders; Bashira Nassaazi (UCU), Mugena Cecilia (UPDF) and Tausi Mumena (Prisons),
"It was not easy to drop anyone; all the players we have had in camp are at the same level," Mugerwa said after the team's evening training session on Friday.
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14:23 - 01.06.2023
NETBALL She Cranes head coach Fred Mugerwa names new captains ahead of Netball World Cup
Peace Proscovia is arguably the greatest netball player Uganda has produced; she captained Uganda at two different World Cups, Australia in 2015 and England in 2019.
"But we looked at each individual's performance and the position they are playing; that is why we have six shooters and six midfielders."
Mugerwa added: "Majority of the players we have are defenders because we want to beef up our defence in the three positions."
Mugerwa is a student of attack wins you games, but the defence wins you championships, and that explains why he named more defenders on the team.
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The shooters on the team include; Christine Kango Namulumba (Prisons Netball Club), Mercy Batamurinza (KCCA), Asinah Kabendela (Weyonje), Irene Eyaru (KCCA), Shadia Nassanga (KCCA) and Mary Nuba Cholhok (Loughborough Lightning, UK).
While the mid-court players are led by Margaret Baagala (NIC), Joyce Nakibuule (Prison), Sarah Nakiyunga (NIC), Lunkuse Norah (KCCA), Annet Najjuka (KCCA), and Lillian Achola (Weyonje).
Faridah Kadondi (Weyonje), Hanisha Muhammed (KCCA), Christine Nakitto (KCCA), Privas Kayeny (NIC), Stella Nanfuka (Prisons), Viola Asingo (Prisons), Shaffie Nalwanja (KCCA) and Christine Nakitto(KCCA) will battle for the final available slots in defence.
The team enters residential training on Monday at the Africa Bible Society in Lubowa, while Mugerwa intends to focus on critical areas.
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17:50 - 01.06.2023
NETBALL Fred Mugerwa yet to recover from 2015 'heart break' ahead of 2023 Netball World Cup
Two weeks before the 2015 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, She Cranes coach Fred Mugerwa was sacked from his role after an evening training session at the GEMs gym in Butabika.
"We are going to be training in an indoor court, so that will allow us to concentrate alot."
"We want to pay attention to our coordination, passes, how to attack, defend and win our matches. Because in the indoors, there no excuses like sun or wind," Mugerwa added.
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Uganda is in Group D alongside New Zealand, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago at the World Cup that starts on July 28th until August 6th.
The squad of 20 to enter the residential camp
Shooters: Christine Kango Namulumba (Prisons Netball Club), Mercy Batamurinza (KCCA), Asinah Kabendela (Weyonje), Irene Eyaru (KCCA), Shadia Nassanga (KCCA), Mary Nuba Cholhok (Loughborough Lightning, UK)
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Midcourt Players: Margaret Baagala (NIC), Joyce Nakibuule (Prison), Sarah Nakiyunga (NIC), Lunkuse Norah (KCCA), Annet Najjuka (KCCA), Lillian Achola (Weyonje)
Defenders: Faridah Kadondi (Weyonje), Hanisha Muhammed (KCCA), Christine Nakitto (KCCA), Privas Kayeny (NIC), Stella Nanfuka (Prisons), Viola Asingo (Prisons), Shaffie Nalwanja (KCCA), Christine Nakitto(KCCA) and Shakirah Nassaka (Weyonje)
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