Lydia Bakumpe
30 November 2011
Uganda’s sitting volleyball team failed to qualify for next year’s London Olympic and Paralympic Games despite finishing third in the just-concluded Sub-Saharan Sitting Volleyball Championship in Kigali.
Hosts Rwanda snatched the only available slot after winning all their games, the best of which was the final victory over Kenya.
Although they fielded some experienced lads, Uganda lost to hosts Rwanda 3-2 in their opening game, which set the stage for tension-packed moments in the rest of the encounters.
The Ugandans, however, recomposed themselves, beating Burundi and DR Congo in their next games, thanks to outstanding performances from debutantes Ronald Kaggwa and Patrick Okore.
“We were very unlucky, but the team also failed to respond well to pressure. We did not have any friendlies ahead of the competition which I think would have helped us very much,” said Team Uganda player Frank Kumbuga.
Uganda lost to Kenya 3-1 in the group stages before suffering a more humiliating semi-final defeat, still to Kenya in straight sets in the tournament that climaxed on Saturday.
“We had the potential to win but stage fright was a big problem,” said assistant coach Juma Osunge, who expected much better from the guys.
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