Sixteen schools compete for honours in Girls Cricket Week

Sixteen schools have turned up for the 2024 Girls Cricket Week that got underway on Sunday at four playing venues, Teso College Aloet, Fr Hilders, St Mary’s, and Sports Ground in Soroti.

A seven-day championship has so far seen the 2023 defending champions Olila High School take full control of their group teams.

The three-time winners through Lorna Anyait and Malisa Ariokot were able to push Olila High School to the top of Group A by 183 runs and push their side to the semifinals.

“So far, our side is enjoying its start, but we still have a long way to go. It's God now to determine our fate in this year’s championship,” said Francis Okongel, a games teacher at Olila High School.

Jinja SS who have won the national trophy eight times are looking to reclaim supremacy, but they opened the competition with a 5-wicket loss to the champions. They were, however, able to follow that loss with a narrow 7-run win over Masaka SS.

In Group B, last year’s losing finalists Light SS are unbeaten with 6 points and led Group B by the time this article was written.

However, St. James, Good Heart, Ndejje, Kilembe, and Gayaza High were still winless and had no hopes of winning the overall trophy again this year.

Felix Musana, the chairperson of Soroti Cricket Academy said the tournament is also used to identify talents from upcountry.

“This is another opportunity to see the cream of our future women cricketers in action. Our gratitude goes out to UCA for making this possible yet again despite the growing number of participating schools. I would also like to thank SCA together with St. Mary’s Girl’s SS, Madera for hosting us for a second year running, and also to the participating schools that have preferred to turn up for this event” said Musana.

According to Musana, the prestigious event provides an opportunity for the community in Soroti to watch their own in action, promote the popularity of the support among key stakeholders, and also provides an opportunity for the cricket community in Uganda to understand the cricket culture that has enabled many female cricketers to thrive.

Olila High School will be chasing a fourth title in a row at home, but they face competition from Light SSS, Jinja SS, Masaka SS, and Ndejje SS for the title.

PAST WINNERS

2001.  Gayaza HS

2002.  Gayaza HS

2003.  City HS

2004.  City HS

2005.  Gayaza HS

2006. City HS

2007.  Not held

2008. Jinja SS

2009. Not held

2010.  Jinja SS

 2011. Gayaza HS

 2012. Jinja SS

2013.  Jinja SS

2014.  Jinja SS

 2015. Kololo SS

2016.  Jinja SS

2017.  Jinja SS

2018.  Jinja

2019.  Olila HS

2020.  Not held

 2021.  Not held

2022.  Olila HS

2023.  Olila HS