Lady Volleyball Cranes Squad Named Ahead Of First Action Since 2019
Uganda Women’s National Volleyball team, the Lady Volleyball Cranes, will return to action for the first time since 2019.
The team will next week on Tuesday start preparations for Zonal Qualifiers in June for the All Africa Games that will be played later this year in August in Ghana.
Uganda has bid to host the Zonal Qualifiers at Lugogo, where Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda among others will take part.
The Lady Volleyball Cranes was last in action back in 2019 at this very Zonal tournament they hosted at Lugogo Indoor Arena, won by Kenya.
This was confirmed by Uganda Volleyball Federation President Sadik Nasiwu who was flanked by his assistant Abdallah Kiggundu in a press briefing on Monday at Old Kampala where the coaches and squad were announced.
“We were disturbed by Covid-19 in the past edition and we are giving priority to the gender that was left behind when Our Men’s team went to Rwanda,” Nasiwu said.
“We have a very competitive advantage in the Ladies category and we are very excited to see them play again. We are also not participating, we want to compete.
“We are participating come rain or shine. We want to start early in terms of preparations.”
Nasiwu, when asked, revealed that they haven’t received any money in this Financial Year from Government but have taken a bold move to start preparations and are hoping all will fall into place.
On hosting, he commented: “We are yet to receive official confirmation, but the indicators are pleasing and there are higher chances that we will host this event in Kampala just like you saw FUBA (Basketball) hosting the concluded Zonal Qualifiers.”
The team will be coached by Peter Tonny Lakony who will be assisted by Bart Munting and Mariam Nakamanya.
Lakony who has been retained as head coach, confirmed that Training will be held every Tuesday evening (5pm to 8pm) at Internatonal School of Uganda in Lubowa for the next six weeks.
“We want to do it once a week for the start because these players are going to be busy with their Clubs as we are entering the National League playoffs,” Lakony said.
“Then after, we will train twice or more in a week. We will even change venues to Old Kampala and Lugogo and we shall hopefully enter Residential Camp in May.”
