By Staff Writer
Which sports do you like the most – football, horseracing or something more offbeat like cricket?
The sports climate in Uganda seems to be a thrilling one this year. If you are into Betway basketball betting, we are sure you’ve already tried out betting on your favorite sports.
Fans and the sports fraternity have their own expectations as well. Here is a look at some of the sports leaders’ predictions in Uganda.
- Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON)
The 32nd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will take place this summer in June. The new host for the tournament will be Egypt after Cameroon noted the last version of the competition. There are 24 teams which are looking to book a place in the top 16 and that includes Uganda.
The Cranes, which are the national team of Uganda, are looking to fly their flag high in this year’s tournament. In the last match, the Cranes performed quite well having topped their group with 13 points.
Sports leaders in Uganda believe that if the Cranes still play this years tournament with the same agility, they can lift the cup. In 2015 cranes managed to make it to the semi-finals of the AFCON. It was a significant achievement to them because it had taken them 38 years to reach the semi-finals.
- Olympic qualifiers.
Japan will be hosting the 2020 Olympics after fifty-six years of hosting the event. However, the XXXII Olympiad will be different from the last one because it will be more modernized. Uganda is looking to shine in the international scene, and the Olympics are part of the picture.
The government is taking the initiative to fund the sports sector. This will help various athletes who will participate in the Olympics to adequately prepare for the tournament.
For instance, the National High-Altitude Training Centre in Kapchorwa is undergoing some renovations a right place for the athletes to practice for the Olympics. If the sports sector keeps on getting the kind of support it is getting from the government then Uganda will be riding on a wave of success.
- The Netball World Cup.
The Netball World Cup is due later this year. It will be held in Liverpool, England. She Cranes are also looking to make their country proud. Currently, they are ranked seventh in the IRF World Rankings.
Although they will face a tough challenge having England, Scotland, and Samoa in the same group, the She Cranes are still optimistic they will win. Head Coach Rashid Mubitu is proud of his team especially after two of his players were selected to in the top leagues. Mary Nuba is currently playing for the professional league in the UK while the team’s captain Peace Proscovia is in Australia.
Verdict
Uganda has one of the most active sports teams in the African continent. If things go as planned, then sports fans in Uganda will be smiling the whole year.