Dr Patrick Bernard Ogwel, the National Council of Sports (NCS) acting general secretary, has commended government to the sports sub-sector and retains hopes that it will continue to grow.

Over the past two decades, funding has grown astronomically from Shs444m in 2000 to Shs17.4bn this financial year 2018/19. Two years ago, it was Shs4.4bn.

"Overall, the funding to sports in the country has grown and that's why there is more and more participation, competition and success," Dr Ogwel said while flagging the She Cranes for the Africa Netball Championships in Lusaka, Zambia on Wednesday.

In January, the national netball team met President Yoweri Museveni who promised to give each member of the team a cash reward of Shs20m when they bring glory to the country.

"If you retain the African title, we as council will approach the President again so go bring the trophy," Dr Ogwel noted. "Let's do well and the funding will come."

Just this week, NCS has aided the travel of the national motocross team to Zambia to take part in the FIM/Africa Motocross Nations Championship.

Also, the Junior Gazelles, basketball's U-18 national team was flagged off to take part in the Fiba U-18 Africa Women's Championship.

As the assistant general secretary handed the national flag to She Cranes captain Peace Proscovia, thousands of students were to meet the Minister of Education and Sports Mama Janet Museveni, also the First Lady, as they travelled to Rwanda for the annual Federation of East Africa Senior Secondary School (FEASSSA) Games.