UCA hands three players central contracts

Jun 13, 2013

IVAN Baidhu, Arnold Otwani and Varinder Singh are among the 15 that signed new contracts with the national association

By Norman Katende 

DESPITE failing to lead Uganda to the 2014 U-19 World Cup due in United Arab Emirates after defeat to Namibia in the final, three stars from the national U-19 team have earned themselves central contracts with Uganda Cricket Association.

The three, Ivan Baidhu, Arnold Otwani and Varinder Singh are among the 15 that signed new contracts with the national association, ahead of the team preparing for November’s T-20 global qualifiers and next year’s World Cup qualifiers. 

The T-20 qualifiers will be held in the United Arab Emirates while the World Cup qualifiers are due in New Zealand.

Uganda needs to finish among the top eight of the ten countries that will be competing in New Zealand for them to cement Division II status.

“We have been able to add in some junior players as a way of increasing competition. The contract will be reviewed every month as a way of monitoring the players’ performance,” said the national cricket association administrator Martin Ondeko.

The contract ties the players to national duty training and will also commit to being present for corporate social responsibility activites for the team. 

The team started training this week under interin coach Henry Okecho as the association continued its search for a new coach to replace Martin Suji.

Among those who are not had their contracts renewed is veteran batsman Benjamin Musoke, who retired from the shorter version of the game at international level and Michael Ndiko, who was part of the squad which flew to Bermuda for the Division III cricket league.

The players that have been contracted: Davis Karashani, Lawrence Ssematimba, Frank Nsubuga, Charles Waiswa, Roger Mukasa, Richard Okia, Ivan Baidhu, Varinder Singh, Ronald Otwani, Arthur Kyobe, Deus Muhumuza, Hum Kayondo, Henry Ssenyondo, Brian Masaba and Jonathan Ssebanja.

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