With the Ghana Amateur Athletics Association fraught with problems its counterpart the Ghana Netball Association is enjoying good fortunes as Ghana has the mandate to host the maiden edition of the African Netball Nations Cup from October 31st to November 9th 2002.
So far, South Africa, Namibia, Uganda, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Botswana, Swaziland and Kenya have confirmed their participation. Network Herald paid a familiarisation visit to the training ground of the Ghanaian team last Saturday, when the team has its final audition and 16 players were selected.
16 Selected for netball
THE Netball Association of Ghana has selected the final batch of 16 players to form the nucleus of the national netball team, the Golden Maidens. A statement in Accra by the Association said the final list of players was arrived at after a series of tournaments over a three-month period.
The statement named the players as: Goal Shooter - Cynthia Addy, Bernice Taylor, Goal Attack -Esther Obeng-Antwi, Florence Tetteh, Wing attack - Shafatu Karim, Abena Nyanickyewaa, Centre - Ayishetu Osumanu, Abiba Isaka, Wing Defence Eunice Atakli, Charity Sarkodee,Goal Defence, Fati Mohammed, Faustina Teye goal keeper, Veronica Openg, Rosina Lomo, Reserves - Akosua Dzegu and Dorothy Bekow. The statement said the selection is still open and players indentified in the regions later in the course of trial matches by the Golden Maidens will be incorporated into the team.
The statement said the national team will engage in two trial matches against the Eastern Queens at Koforidua on August 24 at the Jackson Park and on September 14 at the Kumasi Sports Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Netball Associations , CANA, has renewed its mandate to Ghana, to host the Africa Neball Cup of Nations from October 31 to November 9, 2002 in Accra.
Ten countries including South Africa, Namibia, Uganda, Botswana, Malawi and Tanzania are expected to take part in the 10-day tournament.
In preparation for the tournament, the national netball team will visit Namibia next month to engage in a number of matches to expose the players to new trends in the game.
