Uganda Netball team to battle giants New Zealand, England in Commonwealth Games

KAMPALA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Uganda will face a tough test when they battle giant sides New Zealand and England at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Susan Anek Ongom, President of the Uganda Netball Federation (UNF) told Xinhua on Saturday that although they have been grouped alongside tough teams, they also need to be respected because they are the 2017 African champions.

Uganda, South Africa and Malawi are the three nations that represent the African continent at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. Ongom said that according to the latest release they will open their Games against second World ranked New Zealand in Group B.

The other teams in the same group with Uganda include England, Malawi, Wales and Scotland. Ongom warned that although many of these teams have good facilities and are better motivated, the Ugandans are determined to do wonders at the Games. "We have got some exposure now and the players know what is needed of them," she added.

Uganda ranks 7th according to the latest ranking by the International Netball Federation (INF). All the 12 best ranked teams will take part in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games between April 4-15.

Ongom said that as the President of Netball in Uganda, she is very excited that the national team will play at the Commonwealth Games.

"We made it at the 2015 World Cup in Australia and now qualifying for the Commonwealth Games and playing well is good for the growth of Netball in Uganda," added Ongom.

Uganda's only professional player Peace Proscovia, who plys her trade for Loughborough Lightening in the English League, will be expected to lead the Cranes in Australia.

Netball was introduced into the Commonwealth Games in 1998 in Malaysia and has been an integral part of the program since then. At the 2014 Games held in Scotland, the Australian team beat New Zealand in the final to win gold. Enditem