Holders National Insurance Corporation of Uganda have successfully retained their East African netball title after narrowly edging out JKT by 50-42 goals in the final match played at the Gymkhana venue here yesterday.

The tense and nerve-jangling final saw both teams start the match with aggression but ended the opening quarter on a 12-12 goals tie.

Spectators who turned up at the Gymkhana venue were kept spellbound throughout as the tide of the game was swinging either side.

It was a match where goal shooters of both sides played impressively to score for their teams.

NIC’s goal shooter Peace Proscovia had partnered well with Hayel Hamel as JKT’s Mwanaidi Hassan and Elizabeth Masenyi had equally kept on prowling the opposite goal.

NIC transformed their game particularly in the third quarter where they had a slight edge of 28-24 to make gradual approach towards the title podium.

An attempt by the JKT players to counter the visitors’ onslaughts flopped during the final quarter for NIC to reclaim the regional netball trophy for second year running.

The closely contested encounter was attended by a heavy ministerial presence that included the Minister for Information, Culture, Tourism and Sports Abdilahi Jihad.

Others were Minister for Trade and Industries Ahmed Mazrui, Minister for Energy, Lands, Water and Housing Ali Juma Shamhuna, the chairperson of the National Sports Council and the principal secretary in the Information ministry, Ali Mwinyikai.

Uganda NIC has been the team to beat in the week long event having secured the final berth with unblemished run.

JKT saw off Uganda Prisons by 48-44 in a closely contested and tense semifinal clash played at the Gymkhana venue here, earlier yesterday.

JKT’s Mwanaidi Hassan has been the tournament’s most impressive player owing to her ball possession, versatility and scoring spree to win admiration of netball fans throughout the week.

Other teams that competed in the tourney and kissed a hand of goodbye early on include Chipukizi, JKU and Mafunzo all from Zanzibar.