Uganda aim to make quick impression
By Mick Donohoe
From Dubai
With Uganda national track champion Justine Bayigga in his ranks, coach David Mutaka says there is no secret to how she will be used during the inaugural Women's Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai.
With speed to burn, Mutaka says his plan for the 100m, 200m and 400m national champion - she represented her country at the Beijing Olympics in the 400m - is to give her plenty of open space.
“She’s grown in leaps and bounds so hopefully she can show us what she can do come Friday and Saturday,” said Mutaka, who oversaw the historic achievement as Uganda's first ever national side to qualify for a World Cup in any sport.
Having come from the individual sport of athletics, Bayigga is enjoying the team camaraderie of rugby, but having only picked up a rugby ball for the first time six months ago, she is understandably nervous about the physical contact.
“I will be using my sidestep and speed to hopefully get away from the opposition," Bayigga said tongue-in-cheek.
The Ugandan squad is sprinkled with athletes from other sports, including hockey and basketball, making for an exciting blend according to newly-appointed captain Helen Buteme.
Ready to play
“We all know what each other has to do. We know each other’s game, our strengths and weaknesses. We are working together so it is coming along really well ... Almost perfectly I would say.”
Drawn to face a strong New Zealand outfit in their opening match on Friday at The Sevens, Uganda are not daunted by the task. In contrast, there is an air of confidence in the camp.
“We can’t wait," admitted Buteme. “We think we can take them on. We’re ready for it. We are just going to go and play, play how we know how to play. Play our hearts out and bring some Ugandan flavour to this World Cup.”
After shaking off the jetlag with a few solid training runs, including a practice match against Brazil, Mutaka insists his team are ready but, like his counterparts, is not prepared to give too much away.
“Before the tournament there is always a lot of tension. Everyone is feeling one another out, people are cagey.
“Having the men around also helps. It has made it [the mood] a bit lighter. The Brazilians have been great. Everyone else is cagey.”
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