UCA severs ties with coach Martin Suji

By Pius Arinawe

NATIONAL cricket team coach Martin Suji has left his position after Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) chose not to renew his contract which expired last month.

The former Kenyan international was appointed head coach to replace South African Conrad Shukri in February 2011 ahead of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Division II World Cricket League in Dubai.

Uganda finished last in that tournament and was subsequently relegated to Division 3.

Just last month, Uganda under Suji finished second in the ICC World Cricket League Division 3 in Bermuda to guarantee progress to the 2014 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand and earn a shot at promotion to Division 2.

Steve Tikolo who has been the batting coach has also been let go. Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo

Batting coach and former Kenyan international Stephen Tikolo’s contract has also not been renewed. Under the tutelage of the former all-rounder who enjoyed a glittering career, Uganda failed to exorcise her batting demons.

UCA has in the interim appointed Henry Okecho who played for the Uganda for over a decade and has coached the Women’s National Team since 2010, as the new assistant coach and he will also play a caretaker role until a new head coach is recruited.

“UCA has embarked on the process of recruiting a Head Coach for the team who will start work effective 1st July 2013, and will handle the team preparing for the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in November 2013 and January 2014,” read an official statement signed by CEO Justin Ligyalingi.

“We would like to commend the work done by coaches Martin Suji and Stephen Tikolo since their recruitment and would like to wish them all the best"

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Henry Oketcho who has been in charge of the women's national team takes charge on a caretaker role.

"In the same vein, we would also like to congratulate Henry Okecho on his appointment and also wish him all the best,” read the UCA statement.

The new head coach’s main task will be to prepare the team for the 2014 ICC World Cup Qualifier which will be held in New Zealand in early 2014 where Uganda will need a top eight finish to stay in Division 2, making them entitled to an ICC development grant that could be as much as sh1b.

There is also the threat of relegation back to Division 3 should Uganda finish in the bottom two places at the tournament that will determine the two associate teams to qualify for the 2015 ICC World Cup.

Before that, Uganda takes part in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier to be played in Dubai this November to determine qualification for the 2014 ICC World Twenty20.