Go win, minister urges cricketers
Jan 19, 2009
The men’s national cricket team have been promised $15,000 (about sh29m) if they win the International Cricket Council World Cricket League which starts in Argentina on Saturday.
By Charles Mutebi
The men’s national cricket team have been promised $15,000 (about sh29m) if they win the International Cricket Council World Cricket League which starts in Argentina on Saturday.
The pledge, made by the Uganda Cricket Association, was revealed at a press conference yesterday at Lugogo to send off the team which flies out today at 7.25am.
The 14-player-17-man entourage is on its way to Buenos Aires to embark on the much-anticipated qualification quest for 2010 ICC World Cup and must conquer the penultimate test to stay in contention.
The minimum target is finishing second in the one-week-six-team event as only the best two finishers progress to the final qualification phase to be held three months later in South Africa.
The players, captained by all-rounder Junior Kwebiiha, have been promised $15, 000 for top spot, $5,000 less if they finish second but such financial incentives naturally do not compare in weight to the ultimate prize.
The team was challenged to keep the World Cup dream alive in Argentina by guest of honour state minister for education and sports Charles Bakkabulindi at the press conference.
“You should not forget that you are going to represent all of us,†he said.
“So it’s with great pleasure that I give you the national flag and I hope that you will fly it high with your performances.â€
Uganda has taken a very experienced side - only five players were not part of the team that won the Division 3 League two years ago - and in coach Barny Mohammed have the most qualified tactician the country has ever had.
All the teams are expected to arrive by Thursday before Afghanistan put all of Uganda’s promise to the test two days later.
The squad: J. Kwebiiha, D. Arinaitwe, K. Kamyuka, J. Olweny, C. Waisswa A. Kyobe, R. Mukasa, E. Nakaana, F. Nsubuga, N. Bibodi, A. Baig, R. Semanda, D. Ruyange, B. Musoke, coach - B. Mohammed, physio - J. Ligyalingi, and manager - R. Mwami.
The men’s national cricket team have been promised $15,000 (about sh29m) if they win the International Cricket Council World Cricket League which starts in Argentina on Saturday.
The pledge, made by the Uganda Cricket Association, was revealed at a press conference yesterday at Lugogo to send off the team which flies out today at 7.25am.
The 14-player-17-man entourage is on its way to Buenos Aires to embark on the much-anticipated qualification quest for 2010 ICC World Cup and must conquer the penultimate test to stay in contention.
The minimum target is finishing second in the one-week-six-team event as only the best two finishers progress to the final qualification phase to be held three months later in South Africa.
The players, captained by all-rounder Junior Kwebiiha, have been promised $15, 000 for top spot, $5,000 less if they finish second but such financial incentives naturally do not compare in weight to the ultimate prize.
The team was challenged to keep the World Cup dream alive in Argentina by guest of honour state minister for education and sports Charles Bakkabulindi at the press conference.
“You should not forget that you are going to represent all of us,†he said.
“So it’s with great pleasure that I give you the national flag and I hope that you will fly it high with your performances.â€
Uganda has taken a very experienced side - only five players were not part of the team that won the Division 3 League two years ago - and in coach Barny Mohammed have the most qualified tactician the country has ever had.
All the teams are expected to arrive by Thursday before Afghanistan put all of Uganda’s promise to the test two days later.
The squad: J. Kwebiiha, D. Arinaitwe, K. Kamyuka, J. Olweny, C. Waisswa A. Kyobe, R. Mukasa, E. Nakaana, F. Nsubuga, N. Bibodi, A. Baig, R. Semanda, D. Ruyange, B. Musoke, coach - B. Mohammed, physio - J. Ligyalingi, and manager - R. Mwami.