Uganda to compete in Debmarine Namibia Pent Series
The second edition of Netball Namibia (NN) senior international netball tournament, known as the Debmarine Namibia Pent Series, will see Uganda making their first appearance when the event kicks off on Saturday.
The five-day championship will be held at the Israel Patrick Iyambo Police College in Olympia, Windhoek.
The competition will be held from 9 to 13 June, with five countries - hosts Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Uganda - battling it out for ranking points.
Speaking to Nampa on Thursday, NN secretary-general Imelda Neronga said Uganda will this year replace Swaziland, who will not be at the competition due to financial constraints.
“After Swaziland told us that they won't be making for this year's tournament, we approached Uganda who confirmed their availability to compete at this competition,” she said.
She added that Uganda's participation will be good for all the other countries that are ranked lower than them.
“Last year, when we played Uganda at the African championships in their country, the team did well, but we lost. As you know, we only travelled with nine players, but this time around the team has prepared well and are looking forward to giving it our best when they face Uganda,” said Neronga.
She added that playing against an opponent that is ranked higher than them will give them a better chance of picking up more ranking points.
Namibia aims to use the tournament to improve its position in Africa, as well as on the world stage. They are currently ranked 36th in the world.
Uganda will be the only country at the competition ranked in the top 10, as they are currently ranked seventh. Zambia is ranked 16th, Zimbabwe 15th and Botswana 21st.
The tournament is sanctioned by the International Netball Federation and will count as a ranking event for participating countries.
-NAMPA
The five-day championship will be held at the Israel Patrick Iyambo Police College in Olympia, Windhoek.
The competition will be held from 9 to 13 June, with five countries - hosts Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Uganda - battling it out for ranking points.
Speaking to Nampa on Thursday, NN secretary-general Imelda Neronga said Uganda will this year replace Swaziland, who will not be at the competition due to financial constraints.
“After Swaziland told us that they won't be making for this year's tournament, we approached Uganda who confirmed their availability to compete at this competition,” she said.
She added that Uganda's participation will be good for all the other countries that are ranked lower than them.
“Last year, when we played Uganda at the African championships in their country, the team did well, but we lost. As you know, we only travelled with nine players, but this time around the team has prepared well and are looking forward to giving it our best when they face Uganda,” said Neronga.
She added that playing against an opponent that is ranked higher than them will give them a better chance of picking up more ranking points.
Namibia aims to use the tournament to improve its position in Africa, as well as on the world stage. They are currently ranked 36th in the world.
Uganda will be the only country at the competition ranked in the top 10, as they are currently ranked seventh. Zambia is ranked 16th, Zimbabwe 15th and Botswana 21st.
The tournament is sanctioned by the International Netball Federation and will count as a ranking event for participating countries.
-NAMPA
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