Ugandans ready for Africa

The Africa Under-19 Cricket Championship starts on Wednesday in Kampala. Ronnie Kintu profiles the Uganda team members for the inaugural continental tournament. John Lubia (Team manager): Former national skipper and long time national player. He plays for Wanderers cricket club and has motivated many youngsters to play cricket. He will be team manager for the first time and has great expectations in the youngsters. He captained the national squad that lifted the East Africa quadrangular trophy in 1997, Zambia. Francis Ekalunga (Umpire): Current chairman cricket Umpires committee. Toured Kenya during the Africa Cricket championships where he was recognised by the Kenya umpires association. Ekalunga has acquired vast experience since 1993 as an umpire through local matches. William Kamanyi (Team coach): He is a veteran cricketer and one of the first Africans to represent Uganda on the international scene. He has also been a successful national coach for the last five years. Kamanyi has played a vital role in promoting cricket in Uganda. He is also a coach and one of the founder members of Tornado cricket club. He coached the successful development side that lifted the East and Central quadrangular in Malawi last August Kenneth Kamyuka (19): An all-rounder and captain of the side currently a student of Busoga College Mwiri and a national player. He is a veteran of the side in terms of experience. Kenneth was on the successful development national squad that toured Malawi in September for the quadrangular. He also participated in the Africa Cup that was held in Kenya where Uganda came fourth. A stylish batsman who joined the school team in 1992 having been motivated by national player Benjamin Musoke and in 1999 was named cricketer of year. He is a middle order batsman and using a straight on shot, he can throw balls out of the boundary at any day. Lawrence Sematimba (18): An all-rounder and vice-captain who made his debut for the national side in 1997. He is a brilliant wicket keeper and batsman who left wonders in Malawi and Nairobi in the recent championships. Sematimba a brother to gifted national player Frank Nsubuga (20) plays for Tornado cricket club and hit a swashbuckling 117 against Premier in the just concluded Bank of Baroda league. He is a distinctive opening right-hand batsman and a talented spin bowler. Richard Okia (17): An all-rounder currently a student of Busoga College Mwiri. He started playing cricket in 1992 while in primary and joined the school team in 1997. Okia plays for Nile cricket club and hails legendary Sam Walusimbi for motivating him to start playing cricket. His highest score is 72 not out and likes batting in the lower order. He spearheaded Busoga College Mwiri in the recent Coca-Cola schools cricket week to lift the trophy and was named best bowler. Jacob Muddu (18): An all-rounder who can be a threat when need arises. Muddu is a student of Busoga College Mwiri where he got hold of the bat and ball in senior one. He joined the school team in 1997 and since then he has maintained his stature. Muddu plays for Jinja Cricket Club (JACC) and likes playing a drive shot to knock the hell out of bowlers. As a promising batsman, Muddu admires South African Jacques Kallis. "He is a perfect all rounder and he does everything so well; he makes the game look good." He was named best batsman in the recent Coca-Cola schools cricket week. Chris Engola (17): Right-hand medium pace bowler currently a student of Busoga College Mwiri. He joined the school team in 1997 and considers former cricket master Justine Ligyalingi to have opened his career. Engola is a vital opening bowler for Kampala Institute Cricket Club (KICC) and likes tormenting batsmen using his yorkers. His best shot is a cover drive using a Sunny Gold or Gunny and Moore and prefers batting at a lower order. Geoffrey Serunkuma (17): A fascinating medium pace bowler and a product of Kenyan Tom Tikolo who started playing cricket in 1997 from Nairobi, Kenya. He joined Tornado cricket club this season and enjoys fielding at mid-off. He is a mid-order right-hand batsman and his highest score is 63 in Bank of Baroda national league. He admires international players like Shawn Pollock and Jonty Rhodes. Fred Isabirye (16): An amazing all-rounder currently a student of Jinja SSS who was motivated to pick up the game by former coach Justine Ligyalingi. Isabirye started playing cricket for Jinja Cricket Club (JACC) in 1991 and is now vice captain for the club. He joined the school team in 1997 and enjoys fielding in covers. His highest score is 60 runs against Premier in Baroda league. Adam Jumba(18): A devastating medium pace bowler currently a student of Kings College Budo. He started playing cricket in 1994 having been motivated by legendary Sam Walusimbi and joined the school team after two years. He plays for Wanderers cricket club and played for the national under-23 team last year where he recalls catching f Kenyan Edward Mboya. The middle order batsman takes fast arm national bowler Henry Osinde as his model and hopes to display the best in the championships. Allan Kayigwa (18): A right hand batsman and student of Kings College Budo. He started playing cricket in 1995 and joined the school team after one year. Kayigwa has played cricket with a remarkable performance each year. He currently plays for the prestigious club Wanderers and likes fielding at point. "I am ready to put in all my efforts to make sure that Uganda wins this tournament." On the local scene, the youngest Keith Legesi (19): He is the best wicket keeper on the squad who can take anything behind the stumps. He is captain of Busoga College Mwiri and joined the school team in 1996. Legesi is a morale booster who hates seeing teammates quiet at any one moment. He does not take hold of the ball but shows bowlers where to place it and they claim wickets. Ivan Thawithemwira (17): An up-coming all-rounder who picked the game in 1995 and joined the school team the same year. He is a student of Nyakasura School currently looking for a club to join. Ivan is a right hand upper order batsman who fancies a square shot. His highest score in schools cricket is 60 runs and likes fielding in covers. Edward Musenze (18): A right hand opening batsman and student of Busoga College Mwiri. He joined the school team in 1998 and has maintained his position since then. Musenze fancies a drive shot and using a sunny gold bat. He plays for Jinja Cricket Club (JACC) and admires team captain Kenneth Kamyuka for his skills. Hillary Kafuka Mukasa (18): A strong right-handed batsman and student of Kings College Budo. He started playing cricket while still at Budo junior and made it to the school team in 1996. Kenneth Kato (16)--reserve: Youngest player on the side who picked the game in 1998 and now plays for Wanderers cricket club. He is one of the best off spinners on the side and a late order batsman. Raymond Otim (17)---reserve: A sensational out fielder who takes catches un-expectedly. He is a key player of Kampala Cricket Club and likes batting in the late order. An occasional spin bowler capable of tempting batsmen with his slow balls. Joseph Ongaria (19)---reserve: Right hand batsman from Kiira College Butiki. He joined the school team in 1997 and now plays for Jinja Cricket Club (JACC). Ongaria has 104 runs as his career best score. Ends