Netball Faces Critical Crossroads: Uganda risks losing World rankings

By Emmanuel Sekago

Netball in Uganda has reached a tipping point as the Netball Normalization Committee has called for an Extra-Ordinary General Assembly set to take place tomorrow, Saturday, September 21st, 2024, at Lugogo MTN Arena at 9 a.m. The agenda of this assembly, however, has sparked concern, as some of the proposed changes could lead Uganda to forfeit its World Netball rankings and essentially start from zero if approved.

One of the most alarming consequences, if these proposals are passed, is Uganda’s potential disqualification from the prestigious FAST5 Netball World Series, scheduled for November 9th-10th, 2024, in Christchurch, New Zealand. The FAST5 series features the top five netball teams globally, including Australia, England, Jamaica, South Africa, and Uganda. A decision to adopt the proposed changes could mean Uganda’s exclusion from this elite competition, despite its current world standing.

According to a circular dated August 30th, 2024, seen by Wallnetnews and addressed to netball club chairpersons and secretaries, the agenda includes a motion that could change the course of Uganda’s netball future. Signed by Moses B. Mwase, Chairman of the Netball Normalization Committee, and Angela Sanderson, Head of Governance & Finance at World Netball, the motion (Agenda No. 5) proposes the formation of “Netball Uganda” as a new national netball federation. This newly formed body would then seek affiliation and registration with World Netball, Africa Netball, and the National Council of Sports (NCS).

This motion has raised eyebrows, as the Netball Normalization Committee, appointed in November 2023, was mandated to stabilize and “normalize” Uganda Netball Federation (UNF) operations—not to form a completely new netball body. If this motion is passed, many stakeholders fear that all progress made by Uganda on the international stage could be rendered null and void, resetting the country’s achievements in netball.

Agenda No. 6 includes the presentation of a draft constitution for “Netball Uganda.” Critics have called on attendees to carefully scrutinize every article within this draft, as it could have far-reaching implications for the future of the sport. The decisions made in this assembly could either plunge Ugandan netball into obscurity or, if handled correctly, help uplift it.

Another cause for concern is the legitimacy of the stakeholders involved in tomorrow’s assembly. According to the Normalization Committee, over 75 provisional members have been registered, with clubs having submitted applications and paid the UGX 200,000/= application fee. However, many of these provisional members—especially clubs—are not recognized participants in any sanctioned Uganda Netball Federation competitions, leading to questions about their representation. Stakeholders are concerned that these “handbag clubs,” which have no competitive track record, may not accurately represent the needs of the netball community.

In interviews with Wallnetnews, stakeholders expressed deep concerns about the potential implications of these motions on Uganda’s world rankings and the future of the sport. If “Netball Uganda” is established and recognized as a new national body, it could reset Uganda’s hard-earned global netball status.

Countries that have been trailing behind Uganda in the rankings are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this assembly. A misstep could open the door for them to surpass Uganda as the country navigates the challenges posed by the proposed changes.

As Uganda’s netball community braces for tomorrow’s assembly, many are urging for careful consideration of the motions on the table. The future of netball in Uganda—and its place on the global stage—hangs in the balance.