Shame as Kenya fails to register teams for East Africa Netball Club Championships

No Kenyan club has confirmed participation in the upcoming East Africa Netball Club Championships scheduled for May 12-21 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

This will see the Kenyans serve as spectators while other countries compete in the prestigious event.

Confirming the news, Kenya Netball Federation (KNF) Secretary General, Millicent Busolo blamed the move by Kenyan clubs to skip the tournament to lack of funds.

The only two institutional clubs; Ulinzi Swords and Prison Kenya pulled out in the eleventh hour due to financial constraints.

Mount Kenya University (MKU) were also set to compete but, opted to turn up for next season’s league series and local events.

"We had two teams ready, but up until yesterday (Tuesday), both broke camp because their respective administrators did not have enough financial resources that could see both clubs travel across the borders," Busolo revealed.

Meanwhile, Tanzania Amateur Netball Association (TANA) chairperson Devotha Marwa called on Kenyan corporates to support the sport, noting that soon it would soon slide to its deathbed if the necessary measures were not taken.

Busolo calls on government, corporates to support netball in Kenya

Marwa noted that Kenya was missing out on an opportunity to compete against some of the best teams in East Africa.

Other countries that will compete include; Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Africa, Burundi, Rwanda, Zambia, Botswana, and Malawi.

The competition has also attracted several women’s sides that include; Tamisemi, JKT Mbweni, Uhamiaji, Jeshi Stars, NSSF, Arusha Polisi while KVZ, Mafunzo, JKU, Zimamoto, Warriors and Pemba.

Only three men's teams qualified for the assignment, from the Union Netball Championships that were, held last year and will be led by Tanzania mainland's Bandari Veterans and Smart Boys while JKU has qualified from Zanzibar.

Chance for budding players as Prisons forms youth netball team

Defending women's Champions National Insurance Company (NIC) will fly to Kampala on Friday and are gearing up for a nerve-wracking match against National league rivals Uganda Prisons.

The two sides met in March at the Ulinzi Complex Indoor Arena with NIC schooling Uganda Prisons to claim their 21st regional title.

Zambia's Buffalo who finished at fifth place on rankings last year in Nairobi are yet to confirm their participation.