Uganda withdraws from world softball qualifiers

KAMPALA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has pulled out of the qualifiers for the Women's World Softball Championship in Pretoria, South Africa from January 13 to 15.

Dennis Kasozi, President of the Uganda Baseball and Softball Association, said on Thursday that the team is unable to make it to South Africa because of lack of funding.

"We tried to solicit money from the private sector and also the government through the National Council of Sports, but failed to raise it," said Kasozi.

The 15-member team and their coach need 20,000 U.S dollars to travel and take part in the tournament.

Africa has two slots at the world championships. With Uganda out of the competition, the battle for the berths will now remain between Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and host South Africa. Enditem