It was a tug of war as the netball national team (She Cranes) persuaded officials from the National Council of Sports [NCS] to give them their money.

The drama started when the first batch of Ugandan Athletes who competed in the just concluded Common Wealth games in Birmigham, England returned today.

Kayiira Jackson, the netball media officer told theGrapevine that the netball federation hired a minibus to pick the players from Entebbe airport.

Kayiira divulged that upon reaching the airport, they found a parliamentary mini bus already picking some players and because it was not enough to take all of them, including the cyclists, the remaining athletes had to occupy their mini bus.

TEARS AT NCS

Upon reaching the premises of National Council of Sports in Lugogo, where the players hoped to get their seven million shilling (Shs.7,000,000)  allowances, which was promised to them by NCS as soon as the tournament ended, they were given the bad news that their allowances were not ready.

Each player was quickly given fifty thousand shillings (Shs.50,000) as transport by the gate man at the premises to return home.

According to Kayiira, no NCS officials was around by the time the team arrived at the premises. Instead, the official decided to run into hiding and gave the gateman money the Shs.50,000 for each player as transport.

TheGrapevine has learnt that two players from netball, Juan Nampungu and Jesca Achan received their seven million shilling while in Birmingham and the rest were told that their money is in Uganda, 10 players and 4 officials were not paid.

Later today, when the officials learnt that the media was following up on the matter, they started quietly paying some players.

Sandra Nabirige, who plays as a goal defender (netball), told theGrapevine that she received six million shilling (instead of seven) on her mobile money account at 1:46pm.

Irene Eyaru, who plays as a goal attack (netball) also assured theGrapevine that she received the six million shilling on her mobile money at 1:46pm.

Sources in NCS have intimated to theGrapevine that officials decided to vomit part of the money after increasing pressure from the players, that is why they had to pay them via mobile money.

According to inside information, each player who went to Birmingham for the commonwealth games was supposed to receive their money through equity bank.

When Grapevine called the assistant general secretary NCS, he said that he cannot comment on the matter.

Uganda netball team beat South Africa 54-48 to end their campaign in a historic 5th place – one better than their 6th-place finish in 2018 in Australia.

The final position meant that Uganda ended the Games as the highest-ranked African nation, with South Africa taking 6th place and Malawi 7th.

Overall, Team Uganda bagged a total of five medals in Birmigham and they included three gold medals.

Notably, Teddy Nakimuli became the first Ugandan female boxer to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games.

By Juma Ali

Bombers captain Joshua Tukamuhebwa has told theGrapevine that he is determined to win a medal at this year’s commonwealth games in Birmingham, England for his late mother.

Tukamuhebwa’s mother, Enid Bindishanga died after she was knocked by a speeding motor bike along Jinja Road.

Enid had gone at the meat parker along Port Bell Road to buy meat for the family.

She was rushed to hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

“I am going to do everything possible to win a medal in this competition for my mum,” the Naguru based boxer said.

Tukamuhebwa narrated that after his mother’s death, life became meaningless because she meant a lot to him and his siblings, “that’s why I want to win a medal in her memory.”

I AM THE FATHER NOW

Tukamuhebwa  also disclosed that after his mum’s death, he is now the bread winner at home and has to act like a parent to his young siblings and also look for their school fees.

I WILL USE THE MONEY I GET TO HELP MY SIBLINGS

He added that he is going to use the money government will give him as his facilitation, funds from Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) president Moses Muhangi and President Museveni’s pledge if he wins a medal, to cater for his siblings.

This will be Tukamuhebwa’s second international competition after the all Africa games in 2019 in Morocco, where he was defeated in the first encounter.

The commonwealth games are scheduled to take place between 28th July to 8th August 2022.

Uganda will be represented in several sports disciplines which include; boxing, athletics, swimming, squash, table tennis, badminton, rugby 7’s and netball.

theGrapevine wishes our men and women the best in Birmingham.

By Juma Ali

Few days are left to the commonwealth games that are scheduled to take place in Birmingham in England, between 28^th July to 8^th August 2022.

Uganda will be represented in several sports disciplines which include; boxing, athletics, swimming, squash, table tennis, badminton, rugby 7’s and netball .

In the last edition, in 2018, bomber’s boxers Reagan Ssimbwa, Nasir Bashir and table tennis player Halimah Nambooze disappeared in Gold Coast in Australia and never returned with the team.

This has been a norm after several international games. Some athletes disappear after the games in search for greener pastures.

theGrapevine sat down with Uganda Olympic Committee president Donald Rukare to discuss how the Ugandan team is prepared for the games and how they are going to handle the issue of athletes disappearing.

Grapevine: How are you prepared for the commonwealth games as team Uganda?

Rukare: The preparation are good and we are ready to win medals.

Grapevine: How many medals do you hope to win this time around?

Rukare: In 2014, we got 5 medals, in 2018 we scooped 6 medals, this time around we hope to double the medals we got in 2018 to twelve or more.

Grapevine: Of all athletes, who do you think has more chances of getting a medal?

Rukare: All the athletes have equal chances of getting medals.

Grapevine: What were the challenges you are facing as you prepare the teams for the commonwealth games?

Rukare: We still need financial assistance to help us prepare our athletes.

Grapevine: Will athletes like Joshua Cheptegei, Jacob Kiplimo, Halimah Nakayi, Peruth Chemutai, who competed in World Athletics Championship in Oregon also compete in commonwealth games? And will it not affect them?

Rukare: Are you a coach? Hahaha [he laughs], they will definitely participate and it will not affect them because they are sportsmen and women. So, they are aware of the tight sports schedules sometimes.

Grapevine: Have you prepared any incentives like prizes for those who will win medal?

Rukare: We are still discussing that, but the prize money from President Museveni is there. Gold medal winners get Shs.5 million, silver medal winners get Shs.3 million and bronze medal winners get Shs.2 million.

Grapevine: Why were you given few athlete slots [18 athletes] yet Uganda’s hope is in athletics?

Rukare: We were given only 41 slots which were supposed to be shared with other federations.

Grapevine: What challenges do athletes face when they go to such competitions?

Rukare: The issue of food. Sometimes they are not used to the food in some of these countries.

Grapevine: So, are you going with your own cook this time around?

Rukare: Yes, we hope to go with our own cook.

Grapevine: Let us talk about the issue of athletes who escape during international games, how do you plan to handle it this time around?

Rukare: (Jokingly says) I think if it is possible, we need to hire the services of Maama Fiina to come to our rescue and tell us those who are going to escape since she is a traditional doctor who can see things before they happen.

By Juma Ali