Wednesday Fixture
•Makindye Weyonje Vs Police
•M Life Sport Vs UPDF
•African Renewal Vs Makindye Weyonje
•UCU Vs KCCA
•NIC Vs Prisons
Netball Super League table – Top 5 (Sports Chat)
Uganda Netball Federation has suspended two officials following ugly incidents in a Netball Super League match between KCCA and Weyonje.
The thrilling derby on Tuesday, April 4 at Kamwokya TLC did not have a nature ending, with the game suspended tied 35-all with about five minutes to play in the final quarter.
The incident happened after Umpire Ivan Mpoza called a delay call on Lilian Achola of Weyonje.
The decision didn’t sit well with most of the crowd and Weyonje’s technical bench especially Assistant coach Dickson Lwanga who nearly exchanged blows with the Umpire.
Another umpire, who was not involved in the game, Emma Kibirige, got involved in the melee as the situation escalated as unhappy supporters who were not contented with some of the umpires’ decisions from the start stormed the court, throwing plastic bottles on court.
Per the ruling seen by the Website, the League committee has suspended Umpire Kibirige (the one who didn’t officiate the game) for three months!
“Umpire Kibirige Emma is suspended for three months for showing unprofessional behaviors on the game between KCCA and Weyonje that was played on 4th April 2023,” reads a statement in part.
“It is reported that much as Kibirige did not officiate that Netball Match, he openly attacked the Weyonje bench.”
Kibirige will not officiate any UNF Match for 3 months from now and not physically attend any game in that period.
Weyonje’s assistant coach Dickson Lwanga has been suspended for three league games.
The statement said that he frequently disturbed the Umpires’ desk, used vulgar and unprofessional language against Umpires’decisions.
“That in accordance with the Netball Rules of procedure contradicts the game’s values of leadership integrity, team work and excellence. Lwanga breached Rule 2 (1) (a) and (b), Item 6.5 and 6.6 of UNF Code of Conduct.
His suspension starts with Wednesday’s match.”
The Committee has also decided the result for the abandoned game stands at 35-35 (draw).
The statement reads: “If a match is abandoned due to unforeseen circumstances like the rare case in KCCA -Weyonje match, it’s results shall stand if it is played for 75% and above. Only 4 minutes and 47 secs were remaining on the clock.”
This means that KCCA are top of the league with 35 points after 19 games, a point above NIC and Prisons who are in second and third respectively ahead of their titanic clash on Wednesday.
Weyonje are fifth with 25 points, with a game in hand, level on points with fourth-placed UCU.
