GNext Challenge fills gaps in local cricket development

GNext Challenge
Venue: Lugogo Oval
Dates: Jan 8 - Feb 6
Teams: ABC Samurais,
Brookside Spartans, Blink
Logistic Knights & Lakhani
Motor Titans

With the increased need for activities on the local cricket calendar, the GNext Challenge could not have come at a better time.

After the ICC tasked Associates and Affiliates to generate non-ICC income for their activities going forward, the heat is on for the 2016 Uganda cricket season. The GNext Challenge is therefore the right kind of start.

Not only does the tournament, which started Friday and runs till February 6, seek to address the critical issue in the local game of player development, it is also well resourced.

"This edition has easily reached the sh20m mark (in terms of total sponsorship)," explained GNext Academy co-founder Denis Musali.

The four-team tournament is exclusive to players aged 15-23 and Musali revealed that "each team already has a squad of 15 players". All four teams have a corporate sponsor in addition to sponsors for all kit, man-of-match award, medical cover, refreshments and trophies.

While Musali admitted that it was a hassle getting sponsors, he argued that the concept was always going to be successful in attracting partners.

In addition to competing for silverware, players will be mentored through sessions about general life skills. "The end being providing the youngsters with a platform to showcase their skills but also develop them as individuals," he noted.

GNext Academy's other founder is former Cricket Cranes captain Davis Karashani, who along with Musali represented Uganda at U-19 World Cups in 2004 and 2006.

GNext Challenge sponsors include the ABC Impex, Brookside, Blink Logistics and Lakhani Motors. Others are Shahid International, Dani Cars, Mehta Group, Aziz Damani, Case Hospital, Britannia, Champion Sports, and Kampala Boys Sports Club.

Cricket body UCA will avail the ground (Lugogo), balls, equipment and umpires attire.