UCA celebrates a landmark season
YEAR-ENDER<br><b>Uganda Cricket</b><br><br>WHEN Uganda got affiliated to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1998, it looked the biggest milestone for the nation.
YEAR-ENDER
Uganda Cricket
By Ronnie Kintu
WHEN Uganda got affiliated to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1998, it looked the biggest milestone for the nation.
When the national senior team finished tenth out of 24 nations in the 2001 mini World Cup, it seemed the peak for the game.
This was however checked on October 9, 2003 when the national U-19 squad beat their Kenyan counterparts by four wickets to qualify for the 2004 World Cup February 15 - March 5, in Bangladesh.
It will be the first time in the history of Uganda and the local sport that a team plays at this height.
The Ugandan lads will be among the 16 best cricket playing nations in the world and will play against top class countries like South Africa and England.
The 2003 season started on a high note and following the splendid performance of the youngsters in the inaugural Castle Lager sponsored league the previous year, it was not a big surprise to those who had the belief.
The player-motivation instigated by the national league sponsors Castle Lager inspired many youngsters to play even better cricket.
Eight nations assembled at the World Cup qualifiers in Namibia fighting to qualify for the world summit and consequently represent the Africa region. Uganda and Papua New Guinea played better than Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Fiji, Namibia and Tanzania.
Ugandan prodigies Fred Isabirye, Emmanuel Issanez and Arthur Kyobe were rewarded with medals after scooping man-of-match awards.
The season went down with tremendous achievements.
It all appeared a setback when the executive of Francis Kazinduki declined to seek a third term in February leaving a very big challenge to Latimer Mukasa and his believers.
The new executive met an over-packed season that seemed a big challenge.
Season openers, Luswata and Mawanda knockout cups were successfully held and won by Wanderers and Tornado CC respectively after staging good shows.
Over three cricket academies for primary and secondary school students were held and the second edition of the Bagurusi Saturday league successfully kicked off.
Crocodiles became new champions.
UCA sought for sponsorship from MTN and Stanbic Bank to boost the mini cricket development programme that saw thousands of pupils participate in the national festivals.
The second edition of the Castle Lager league attracted more teams and consequently making the competition tighter.
Maruti CC, Patidar and Kutch Madu made their maiden appearance in the league that was won by Tornado after playing unbeaten throughout.
It will also go down in the records that the season produced some of the best results for Uganda in the international friendly ties that were held.
Kenya’s leading club Swamibapa fell to Uganda 2-1 with youngsters Kenneth Kamyuka and Junior Kwebiiha outstanding.
The star-studded Afripals that only missed four of the 2003 Kenyan World Cup players was also grounded by the Uganda amateurs. Captain Steve Tikolo, Thomas Odoyo and Kennedy Otieno led Afripals among others who were stunned by Frank Nsubuga’s powerful shots.
The tornado of schools’ cricket, Busoga College Mwiri, returned to the local scene and re-captured the trophy that had deserted them for two years in the Coca-cola schools championships.
English cricket legend Bob Woolmer made his maiden tour of Uganda and recommended that the local governing body establish grass wickets in order to participate in the three-day Africa inter-continental championship next year.
The second edition of the national inter-school girls cricket championship was successfully held and Gayaza High School defended their honours.
The decision by UCA to take on Kenya legend Tom Tikolo as development manager and head-coach will certainly bring much better results to the growing sport.
The next season will definitely start on a bang with the youngsters playing at the World Cup where they are expected to display excellent cricket skills.
Uganda Cricket
By Ronnie Kintu
WHEN Uganda got affiliated to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1998, it looked the biggest milestone for the nation.
When the national senior team finished tenth out of 24 nations in the 2001 mini World Cup, it seemed the peak for the game.
This was however checked on October 9, 2003 when the national U-19 squad beat their Kenyan counterparts by four wickets to qualify for the 2004 World Cup February 15 - March 5, in Bangladesh.
It will be the first time in the history of Uganda and the local sport that a team plays at this height.
The Ugandan lads will be among the 16 best cricket playing nations in the world and will play against top class countries like South Africa and England.
The 2003 season started on a high note and following the splendid performance of the youngsters in the inaugural Castle Lager sponsored league the previous year, it was not a big surprise to those who had the belief.
The player-motivation instigated by the national league sponsors Castle Lager inspired many youngsters to play even better cricket.
Eight nations assembled at the World Cup qualifiers in Namibia fighting to qualify for the world summit and consequently represent the Africa region. Uganda and Papua New Guinea played better than Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Fiji, Namibia and Tanzania.
Ugandan prodigies Fred Isabirye, Emmanuel Issanez and Arthur Kyobe were rewarded with medals after scooping man-of-match awards.
The season went down with tremendous achievements.
It all appeared a setback when the executive of Francis Kazinduki declined to seek a third term in February leaving a very big challenge to Latimer Mukasa and his believers.
The new executive met an over-packed season that seemed a big challenge.
Season openers, Luswata and Mawanda knockout cups were successfully held and won by Wanderers and Tornado CC respectively after staging good shows.
Over three cricket academies for primary and secondary school students were held and the second edition of the Bagurusi Saturday league successfully kicked off.
Crocodiles became new champions.
UCA sought for sponsorship from MTN and Stanbic Bank to boost the mini cricket development programme that saw thousands of pupils participate in the national festivals.
The second edition of the Castle Lager league attracted more teams and consequently making the competition tighter.
Maruti CC, Patidar and Kutch Madu made their maiden appearance in the league that was won by Tornado after playing unbeaten throughout.
It will also go down in the records that the season produced some of the best results for Uganda in the international friendly ties that were held.
Kenya’s leading club Swamibapa fell to Uganda 2-1 with youngsters Kenneth Kamyuka and Junior Kwebiiha outstanding.
The star-studded Afripals that only missed four of the 2003 Kenyan World Cup players was also grounded by the Uganda amateurs. Captain Steve Tikolo, Thomas Odoyo and Kennedy Otieno led Afripals among others who were stunned by Frank Nsubuga’s powerful shots.
The tornado of schools’ cricket, Busoga College Mwiri, returned to the local scene and re-captured the trophy that had deserted them for two years in the Coca-cola schools championships.
English cricket legend Bob Woolmer made his maiden tour of Uganda and recommended that the local governing body establish grass wickets in order to participate in the three-day Africa inter-continental championship next year.
The second edition of the national inter-school girls cricket championship was successfully held and Gayaza High School defended their honours.
The decision by UCA to take on Kenya legend Tom Tikolo as development manager and head-coach will certainly bring much better results to the growing sport.
The next season will definitely start on a bang with the youngsters playing at the World Cup where they are expected to display excellent cricket skills.