Centre Melissa Akullu joined the Gazelles team on Tuesday as the side continued training at Africa Bible University in Lubowa ahead of the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket in Kigali, Rwanda.
Akullu featured for Angels Basketball League before leaving the Country two years ago for further studies in United States.
She is currently at Vanguard University, a Junior Communication Major, and remain upbeat ahead of her senior National team debut.
Last season with Vanguard, she was named the GSAC Player of the year and Defensive Player of the Year, and her addition gives Gazelles plenty of options and quality in the front court.
Jane Asinde missed out on the training having travelled to Canada for the GLOBL JAM.
The forward is part of the Under-23 Female team selected by Basketball Africa League to represent the Continent, and will compete against Canada U23, University of Louisville (US) and Puerto Rico U23 teams.
The BAL Select Team players were identified by the BAL in collaboration with FIBA Africa and national federations across the continent.
She is the only player from Uganda selected on the African team, with some coming from Senegal, Egypt, Mozambique, Mali, Ivory Coast among others.
Asinde who recently joined University of Texas, will be expected to rejoin the Gazelles camp early next week.
Ten players, including captain Flavia ‘Flirsh’ Oketcho, trained on Tuesday ahead of the tournament due July 28 to August 6 in Kigali.
There will be no training on Wednesday, with the players given a rest day.
Hope Akello continued to miss out due to tight work commitments.
Head coach Albert Antuna (Spain) expected to be part of Thursday’s training session, and the same can be said of UCU Lady Canons duo Shakira Nanvubya and Bridget Aber who were part of the Under-23 3×3 National Team in DR Congo.
Foreign-based stars Jannon Otto and Claire Lamunu are yet to join camp, while Jamila Nansikombi is not expected to honour the invite.
Leticia Awor (JKL) and Victoria Mukisa (Simpson College) continued to sit out of training with injuries and are all but ruled out as earlier reported by this Website.
It’s strong to note that the Gazelles will be making their third appearance on the continent after debuting in 1997 and at the 2015 edition held in Cameroon.
