Kenya Netball Federation (KNF) has kicked off a four-week intensive training camp for the national women’s netball team at the Ulinzi Sports Complex Indoor Arena, in preparation for the inaugural United Arab Emirates (UAE) Netball Cup scheduled to take place from June 15-21 at Al Nasr Sports Hall, Dubai.

Speaking during a visit to the women’s national team training session on May 26, 2025, in Nairobi, KNF Secretary General Millicent Busolo announced the appointment of Everline Jerono, head coach of Prisons Kenya, to assist Ugandan tactician Mugisha Ali for this six-day event in the Middle East.

“The two are very experienced in handling national team players, and they have already named 19 for a provisional squad that will be trimmed down to the final 14 who will do the job in Dubai,” Busolo stated.

“Our main aim is to garner as many points as possible to increase our chances of qualifying for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. We have to win this one and, after that, focus on three more tournaments left before the end of the year with good results,” an optimistic Busolo quipped.

Kenya will join Namibia as the only representatives from Africa, along with the host nation, the United States of America (USA), Singapore, and the Republic of Ireland, completing the six nations invited to the first edition of this tournament, hosted by Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan Al Maktoum under his Al Nasr Sports Club franchise in Dubai.

Mugisha, who guided Kenya to her first-ever international netball trophy last September in Singapore during the Mirxes Nations Cup, together with Jerono, has named five players from the junior U-21 national team to compete for places in the squad.

Ulinzi’s Dorine Akinyi, Prisons’ Lucy Atieno, and Mildred Baraza from Equity Bank lead the shooters, while national junior U-21 captain Miriam Wamani from Equity Bank and Prisons’ Maureen Simiyu have been named in defence.

The five youngsters will be looking to impress and earn a spot in the final 14 alongside the veterans.

Besides the prodigies, Jerono and Mugisha have also named Hellen Sinoya from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), and Prisons’ Delilah Mukudi and Lucy Atieno among the shooters.

The midfield will feature Elsa Ndong’ and Vidah Adhiambo from Ulinzi, alongside Irene Atieno and her namesake Mary Atieno from Prisons Kenya.

Veteran defender Ramadhan Pauline from Prisons Kenya returns from a five-month layoff due to a finger injury and will lead the backline. She will be joined by teammates Nelly Mohammed, Teresa Othuon, and Parin Simiyu.

Ulinzi’s trio of Winfred Oyugi, Cynthia Milanya, and Abigael Seme completes the list of defenders in the provisional squad.