Rising tensions are reaching their highest temperatures as Ugandan Members of Parliament (MPs) are sticking to their guns, refusing to play against Tanzania in netball under claims that the latter have imposters among them.
The East African Community (EAC), which is organising the 5th Regional Inter-Parliamentary Games apparently, seems to be at a loss regarding what to be done, because Tanzania Parliament insists Imelda Hango is not playing in the national team as the Kampala Legislators are trying to insinuate.
Tanzania are the defending netball champions after blowing out the Ugandans during last year’s Games held in Kampala and it seems the Ugandans are still very bitter over the issue.
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Senior Information Officer, Bobi Odiko, said they may even consider scrapping the match altogether but again both teams won’t hear about that.
The Kenyan female members of Parliament have, on the other hand, thrashed EALA 21-7 in a heated match which coloured the ongoing Games.
Uganda had earlier enjoyed a walkover, earning two points and 60 goals after their opponents Rwanda failed to show up because they have decided to pull out of the regional parliamentary Games.
In soccer, the Parliament of Uganda managed a 0-0 draw with Burundi at the Sheikh Abeid Amri Stadium to set up a mouth-watering clash with Kenya in the first semi-final match at the same venue tomorrow. Uganda topped Group A with four points from two matches.
In Group B, Parliament of Tanzania finished top after beating Parliament of Kenya on a toss of a coin. Both teams tied on points – four each — and equal goals (three each) after their matches, compelling the organisers to invoke a toss to decide the winner.
As a result, Parliament of Tanzania are now set to take on EALA in the second match later today. In netball, Parliament of Kenya defeated EALA 21-7 in an entertaining match played at the netball gymnasium this afternoon.
Florence Chemtai was the toast of the team netting 13 goals while Hon Dorcas Kedogo nodded 8 goals. EALA’s reply came from Hon Judith Pareno (six goals) and Idah Nakhabugo (one).
BY MARC NKWAME, Tanzania Daily News