Mbarara District netball officials and players have come out strongly to criticise the Uganda Netball Federation's continued neglect of the sport in the district and the region as a whole.

Sarah Nabukeera, an official in the district, says the level of the sport has remained low in the region because it has for long been neglected. She said almost all competitions and other activities are centered in other regions.

"We have been neglected for quite a long time and most of the talent from here is not put to good use," Nabukera observed.

However, the federation's president elect Susan Anek has assured the netball fraternity in the region of better services and talent development.

"It is only because we have not been officially handed office. But once it is done, our first priority will be staging competitions right from the district level," Anek said.

Anek won a hotly contested election after beating Rosette Kaala by 35-24 votes at Lugogo last month.

Anek held the office before the National Council of Sports intervened and disbanded the executive for failure to organise elections as stipulated in the body's constitution.

Anek said now is the time to work together for the betterment of the sport.