East African Netball record holders NIC, failed to defend their title as they lost 32-29 and dethroned by Kenyan giants Ministry Of Information, Communication and Technology (MOICT) in the finals that took place in Gymkhana, Zanzibar.
The Ugandan Netball giants were chasing for a fourteenth record title after emerging winners in the last year’s edition that was held in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania.
Uganda Prisons and KCCA joined NIC to craft a three team contingent that represented Uganda in a one week long tournament.
However, the burning talking point regarding NIC going to Zanzibar revolved around how the team could fare with out the services of Goal Shooters, Peace Proscovia and Martha Soigi.
Peace is pursing a professional career in England where as Siogi who is also at cross-purposes at KCCA Leopards(Basketball club) was out of the squad for a maternity leave.
For that matter, the notable players on the team were Skipper Desire Obua, Center, Ruth Meme and Shooter Stella Oyella had to stand tall and intervene and they did so. The three blended well on court in most of the games en route to the finals but their fight was not enough to steer the team retain the title.
Pitted in Group A, the Uganda league holders were “unplayable” as they won all four group games including a derby against perennial rivals Uganda Prisons. They further endured a seamless show in semi finals as they over came JKU to set an epic final with MOICT.
Like NIC, MOICT had also displayed a hall mark of a title contender heading to the finals. MOICT who are also Kenyan League holders edged NIC with a three point difference in a 32-29 scoreline.
Now attention returns to national team training which had been haltered by the tournament. She Cranes are preparing for the World Cup to take place in Sydney, Australia