NIC and Prisons book semifinals berths

Uganda’s representatives NIC and Prisons have booked slots in the semifinals of the East African Netball Championships that are taking place in Nairobi, Kenya after winning three opening games in their respective groups.

NIC are the defending champions of this very championship having won it in 2022 when Uganda hosted and in that final, they edged fellow Ugandan side KCCA.

Both teams currently top their respective groups with six points each, NIC is in group A, and Prisons in B.

Ali Mugisha, the assistant head coach of NIC told Vision Sports that they are in Kenya to retain the regional championship and to prepare for the next season of the Uganda Netball Super League after enduring a disappointing 2022/2023 campaign that saw them finish third behind Prisons and KCCA.

“I am very happy with the start we are enjoying so far, much as we won but I wasn’t satisfied with the performance. However, the performance in the last games has given us confidence and the right picture that the team is getting back to where I want them to be,” Mugisha said.

“We came to Kenya to retain our crown as well as prepare for the new Netball season.” 

On the other hand, Ugandan league champions Prisons Netball Club coach Constant Ssebagala was equally impressed with his side’s good start to the championship and hopes that this year they go all the way to lift the title having finished third in the previous campaign.

“It always gives you confidence when you win your first games in the group, I am glad that my team has achieved that,” Ssebagala said.

“All I ask of them is to carry on with this momentum because we want to do better than last year,” Ssebagala said.

Makindye Weyonje, another side from Uganda, hasn't had a good debut in this championship, they have lost two of their opening group games.

NIC will return to action on Wednesday looking to win the group when they take on Tanzania’s  Tasimeni Netball Club.

East African Netball Championship

Nairobi, Kenya

Results

NIC 54 Kenya Prisons 31

Buffalo Queens 50 NIC 50

NIC 97 Nika Queens 17

Prisons 40 Weyonje 32

KIUT 26 Prisons 69

Ulinzi 30 Prisons 49