Uganda eyes U-19 Africa title

By Usher Komugisha

Africa U-19 Girls tournament

NOT even the over 30 hours ride by bus from Kampala to Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania will deter the Uganda national girls’ cricket team  that arrived on Sunday afternoon to defend the Africa U-19 Girls’ title.

Talking to New Vision Online, the team Coach Raymond Otim said, “we have a better team this year and I know that we can defend our title because our bowling department has been spectacular in training.”

The weeklong tournament starts Monday  till December 12 in Dar-es-salaam.

The Africa Cricket Association tournament has attracted six countries including hosts Tanzania, defending champions Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda as well as new entrants Mozambique and Botswana.

According to Otim, the entry of Mozambique and Botswana means that the tournament is going to be a very competitive one because in the past it was an East African affair.

An excited national team captain Rebecca Mirembe revealed that, “it feels so good to be on this team because despite the limited time we had for training as a team we have built skill and we know we can make it again. We also want to have fun.”

The tournament will be played on a round robin basis with all the countries facing the five opponents twice before the top two sides meet in the final to end the seven day tournament.

The 14 girls’ squad was flagged off by Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) CEO Justine Ligyalingi on Saturday morning at the National Council of Sports (NCS) offices, Lugogo.

Team list: Lelia Namaganda, Irene Katusiime, Rebecca Mirembe, Janet Mbabazi, Rebecca Mukashema, Evelyn Anyipo, Sharon Athoula, Regius Tusiime, Mercy Lakisa, Pricco Nakitende, Daphine Mukasa, Julian Asiimwe, Janet Ajok, Mary Nalule