Overview:
The 2023 World Lacrosse Championship in San Diego, United States of America (USA) will run from June 21 to July 1st.
Uganda Men’s Lacrosse National Team will play at the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship in San Diego, United States of America (USA) this summer.
To make the grade, Uganda overcame rivals Kenya 9-8 at the Kenton College Preparatory School in Nairobi.
Swaibu Meliga and Edward Komakech each scored a brace. Other scorers for Uganda were Bernard Otim, Samson Ochan, Benjamin Ojok, Liberty Twesiime and George Ojik’s overtime winner during the November 2022 epic duel.
Kenya led 3-2 at the end of the first period, and Uganda never led the rest of the way until the ultimate sudden victory goal more than two hours later.
Kenya went on a four-goal run to close the first half, including a 3-0 second quarter and led 6-2 at the break. After a long drought for both teams to start the third quarter, Uganda gained a foothold in the game with the first goal of the frame to cut the deficit to three.
Kenya responded with a goal in the frame but Uganda had halved the score by the time the period was over, trailing just 7-5 entering the fourth. Uganda cut it to one with the first goal of the quarter, but Kenya took an 8-6 lead to reinvigorate the crowd.
Uganda took advantage of two penalties and clawed within one a little over three minutes to play. Less than a minute later, Uganda tied the game for the first time since the first quarter and ultimately sent the game to overtime.
After over 25 minutes in real time, and two nerve-filled scoreless overtime periods, Uganda finally broke the deadlock and claimed a 9-8 win.
There are thirty spots in San Diego secured already, with 10 automatic qualifiers and 20 entrants that cemented their spot through qualification in the three other continental regions.
Uganda participated in the last two men’s championships (2014 and 2018).
The previous world championship rankings determined the number of allocation spots awarded to each Continental Federation.
The event will run from June 21 through July 1.
Meanwhile, Finland withdrew citing funding challenges and has since been replaced by France.
France will make its fourth consecutive appearance at the men’s championship after competing in 2010, 2014 and 2018.
World champions US have named their final 23-man squad. The roster selected includes six gold medalists from the 2018 U.S. team — Trevor Baptiste, Jesse Bernhardt, Michael Ehrhardt, Jack Kelly, Rob Pannell and Tom Schreibe.
The 30 countries to play at the 2023 World Lacrosse Men championship
United States of America (USA), Canada, Haudenosaunee, Australia, England, Japan, Israel, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Italy, Latvia, Switzerland, Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, Czech Republic, Poland, France, Denmark, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, New Zealand, Hong Kong – China, Korea, Uganda