By Emmanuel Amooti
The Uganda Netball Federation held the maiden regional under -12 (U12) Netball Championship, as one of the ways to develop the game from grassroots.
The inaugural tournament was held at Old Kampala Indoor Arena on December 25, 2021. Patrick Okanya, the president of Uganda Secondary School Sports Association (USSSA).
He was the guest of honor crowned Central region as champions of the one day tournament, that attracted five teams from five regions; Kampala, Central, Western, Northern and Eastern.
Central region beat Kampala 8-7 on final at the tournament that served as the year ender party for children.
The games were played on a round robin format, where each team featured any other competing team.
Kampala region topped the log with eight points, but were beaten in finals.
Target
The tournament attracted at least 50 girls of U12 years from five regions. It was held under the theme; ‘Girl child development through Sports’.
The purpose of this tournament was to track future She Cranes stars from grassroots as the federation president.
Sarah Babirye Kityo, the Uganda Netball Federation president, said such tournaments help to groom future sports girls.
“The main purpose for this tournament was to prepare talent from grassroots. As we promised, we want to have tournaments and leagues for all under age girls, such that we get the best at national team.”
She added: “Such tournaments give us opportunity to track the girls at a tender age; we collected all their data, which is good.
“So, if we do not host such tournaments, we will not scout such talents.”
Kuruthum Namutebi, 11, from Central region, who was named as the best defender of the tournament expressed her excitement and appreciates the organisers.
“I am happy that we played today and won. We came praying to God to give us victory, and He did.
“I do not know the players at national team, but I want to be the best defender on she Cranes.”
Ephraim Mujabi, the coach for Central region, also prides in their victory.
He says: “What made us win today is that we have been training these girls. Central region has many academies and girls came from different districts.
“We are happy that the federation started hosting such tournaments, and this gives us morale to continue with grassroots development.”
