UCA drive reaches sh13m and running

By Peter Ekarot UGANDA Cricket Association (UCA) has raised sh12.8m out of the sh66m budget for the Africa U-19 Cup in Kampala January 3-10. Project Director Abbey Lutaya, also the NCS secretary general, said sh50m was earmarked for the Kyambogo oval pavilion, dressing rooms, car park, practice nets, scoreboard and sightscreen. Lugogo oval will take sh10m, while sh6m will go to the Lugogo Sports Hostel housing the ICC Academy. The International Cricket Council (ICC) sponsored the new wickets at Lugogo and Kyambogo plus the ICC Academy project to a tune of sh90m. "Promises are still coming in from various friends to meet the sh66m target," Lutaya said. "However we are very grateful to sponsors who have already come in." Kampala tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia gave sh5m towards the corporate sponsorship still short of sh53.2m for the championship, which will be contested by nine countries under five teams. Senior Presidential Adviser on media and public relations, John Nagenda, donated sh2m, Berger Paints gave paint worth sh2m, while Casements Africa fitted steel and security doors at Kyambogo worth sh1.8m. Other donors have been MTN Uganda (sh1.5m), Gopal of Stone Sales (sh1m), Shukla Mukesh of Shumuk Enterprises (sh0.5m) and Hasmukh Patel of Kikagati Enterprises (sh0.5m). Crest Tank supplied two huge water tanks worth sh0.5m, Tororo Cement brought cement worth sh0.3m; UCA chairman Francis Kazinduki offered sh0.2m, Tuf-Foam supplied mattresses worth sh0.2m and Roofings Limited gave iron sheets of sh150,000. The New Vision, Standard Chartered Bank and Acquva Hardware are on cue with undisclosed support. Nile Breweries'sh1m is towards UCA programmes and facilities. Nile Breweries and BAT Uganda sponsorship is not part of the tourney. Uganda, Kenya, Namibia, ECACC (with Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia) and WACC team of Nigeria, Gambia and Ghana will compete. Ends.