Uganda: Nation’s Chance to Make Amends

Innocent Ndawula

22 June 2011

Kampala — Africa Division I T20 event

July 8-15, Kampala, Uganda

After a dismal showing at the Division II ICC World Cricket League in Dubai early this year, the forthcoming Africa Division I Twenty20 Championship scheduled for July 8-15 offers Uganda a chance for revival.

Uganda were relegated from Division II to III after recording only two wins in Dubai and effects of that performance have been felt in the cricket fraternity.

Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) will no longer get Shs850m funding from ICC for the next two years and some players have already lost contracts with the local sport’s governing body. “That was a bad time and it is still fresh in our minds. Every player knows we have to deliver to keep the fans interested in the game,” team captain Davis Arinaitwe Karashani told Daily Monitor after yesterday’s training session at Lugogo oval.

To bring back some life in the sport, Uganda will have to fend off Africa Division II winners Nigeria, runners-up Ghana, Kenya and Namibia at Lugogo and Kyambogo ovals over one week. The top two finishers in event to be played on round-robin format, will qualify for the Global Qualifier scheduled for Dubai next year.

“It is a chance to show everyone that we can play this game. And many of our fans have never seen us play at home since most tournaments are abroad. The players know they have to deliver,” added Uganda’s new 24-year-old skipper.

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