Ugandans celebrate winning start in 2015 Netball World Cup

Ugandans are celebrating after their national team She Cranes made a winning start at the on-going 2015 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia.

Led by skipper Peace Proscovia who scored 56 points She Cranes beat Zambia 74-38 in their opening Group D match in a game played in Sydney, Australia on Friday.

The Ugandan team gave the Zambians no chance in all the four quarters winning 22-10, 18-11, 15-9, 19-8 in a match played at the Allphones Arena at Sydney Olympic Park.

Charles Bakkabulindi, the Sports Minister, told Xinhua in Kampala that the win was a good start for the She Cranes as they raise the national flag high. "I have confidence in that team and I am sure they will reach the later stages of the World Cup," added the Minister.

Betty Luyima, another sports loving Ugandan said she was proud of the She Cranes. "This is very good because the women are now holding the national flag high at a World Cup level," he added.

The win places Uganda top of Group C after Wales stopped Fiji 59-52 in an earlier match. Uganda's goal attacker Racheal Nanyonga scored 12 points, while substitute Stella Oyella picked six points. Betty Namukasa was in good defending form for the She Cranes.

Zambia who also suffered two defeats to Uganda during the Diamond Challenge Cup in South Africa in June had Diana Banda scoring 16 points, while Lucy Jere picked 22.

In another African affair match Malawi shocked South Africa 58-51 in a Group C match. Goalscorer Mwagi Kumwenda scored 40 points for Malawi, while Lenize Potgieter picked 43 for South Africa.

The She Cranes will face highly ranked Fiji in the second group game on Saturday. Endi