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Netball league: Good, bad and ugly
Star player. Uganda Christian University’s shooter Hanisha Muhameed (centre) is the revelation of this campaign. Photo by Ismail Kezaala
What you need to know:
- League organisers have played victims of poor communication. Results and tables have not been readily available and even games have been postponed without teams being notified. A case in point was the NIC and Prisons second round fixture that changed venue from Nakasero to Kibuli.
- However NIC only learnt of the changes after arriving at Nakasero for the game.
After two months of epic action, the netball league will come to conclusion today with the closing fixtures at Namboole Stadium.
Now that the 2019 netball league is in the books, here are the good, bad and ugly covering events around the league.
Discipline exhibited
Unlike the previous seasons that saw teams lose points due to in discipline, this year’s league has not registered such issues. Clashes between players and umpires have been unheard of, and conflicts have been resolved amicably.
New stars emerge
Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) shooter Hanisha Muhameed is the revelation of this campaign. She netted most of struggling UCU’s goals and has been a force to reckon with.
Other players like Makindye’s defender Sharifah Namulodi, Joyce Nakibuule from Prisons and NIC’s Najjuka have continued to stamp their authority on the league.
NIC live up to the billing
National Insurance Corporation (NIC) under former national team coach Vincent Kiwanuka have contributed the biggest number to the She Cranes engagements.
The only way Kiwanuka would justify this kind of selection at national level was by his club leading the league table from the start. The insurance side is yet to lose a game and are playing today against KCCA.
“I want to win the league unbeaten,” said coach Kiwanuka.
Forced breaks
The league had to break off for two weekends to allow the She Cranes to take part in the Africa Netball Championships in South Africa. Fixtures were postponed to later dates. Meanwhile UPDF, Prisons and Police fixtures for the previous weekend were pushed to week days as the teams were taking part in inter-forces games.
Congested fixtures
Right from the start, teams were given two fixtures a day, although coaches grumbled, their complaints fell on deaf ears and this has continued throughout the season. According to organisers, they had to fix the league in the shortest time possible since it started late.
No medics and ambulance
The netball league has up to now failed to secure a standby ambulance or even a medical personnel to give first aid to injured players. Players are just assisted by unauthorised people including coaches and fellow players in case of injuries.
Poor communication
League organisers have played victims of poor communication. Results and tables have not been readily available and even games have been postponed without teams being notified. A case in point was the NIC and Prisons second round fixture that changed venue from Nakasero to Kibuli. However NIC only learnt of the changes after arriving at Nakasero for the game.
Today’s fixtures
Prisons vs. UPDF
Police vs. Makindye Weyonje
NIC vs. KCCA
