National Council of Sports (NCS) has warned the Uganda Lacrosse team against disappearance in the United States ahead of their World Lacrosse Championship in San Diego.
The team was flagged off on Friday at Lugogo for the event due June 21 to July 1.
“It a government policy, we don’t expect any one to stay back when our teams go out,” said NCS Assistant General Secretary David Katende.
“Those who want to stay back, let them finish the mission, come back, and then from there they can organize their return visits.
“But as long as you are on an official duty, and that trip has been funded by Government, you have already sanctioned a ban on yourself.”
Uganda came under huge scrutiny by the Western media after Weight lifter Julius Ssekitoleko disappeared before the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
And there are more examples in the past including James Odongo (Rugby) who went missing from the camp at the Olympics Repechage tournament in Monaco.
In 2017, three Ugandan Boxers David Ayiti, Geoffrey Kakeeto and Muzamiru Kakande vanished in Hamburg Germany after the AIBA World Championships.
While three rugby players Ramathan Govule, Brian Kikaawa and Fred Odur also disappeared during a 7s tournament in Munich in 2017.
Cyclist Vienna Ssekanga, two weightlifters Irene Kasubo and Kalidi Batuusa, two boxers Regan Ssimbwa and Nasir Bashir and a table tennis player Halima Nambozo also absconded during Gold Coast 2018.
“Disappearance doesn’t only tarnish the Sports men, it also tarnishes the Country’s image. It interferes with further opportunities for other teams that would like to travel to those destinations. It creates us problems in acquisition of Visas, sometimes it affects our teams from participating. And that’s why sometimes are denied visas, it’s because of such kind of acts.”
‘We are going to compete‘
Uganda are pooled in Group B alongside Japan, Wales, Denmark and France. They will open up with Japan on June 23.
To reach this stage, Uganda beat Kenya, 9-8, in triple overtime in November last year at the inaugural Africa Association of Lacrosse qualifier.
“We are going there to compete, we have been focussing to be the best we can be at every training session week in week out, and that’s the best way we can approach it,” said head coach Patrick Oriana.
Commenting on the group, he added: “There are big teams that have been there for a long time in the Sport but for us we know that every team can be beaten if you are well prepared.”
This is the third time Uganda will be appearing at the World Lacrosse Championship.
The Uganda Lacrosse Team:
•Goalkeepers – Andrew Asimwe, Allan Amone, Daniel Otimu
•Defenders: Innocent Anyala, Shaban Pitta, Benard Otim, Phillips Max, Damson Lyaleng
•Long speed Midfielders: Chris Palanda, Micheal Ochan
•Defensive midfielders: Solomon Adiyo, Francis Odong, Martin Komakech
•Midfielders: Roger Anywar, Keith Lubangakene, Owen Waluku, John Brian Mukaga, George Ogik, Yosef Ngowe, Paul Mbusa, Edward Komakech, Aaron Lyaleng
•Attackers: Swaibu Meliga, Benjamin Ojok, Faisal Nsubuga, Finn Phillips
