Cricketers call off strike, resume training

By Norman Katende

KAMPALA - The national cricket team resumed training on Wednesday after reaching a compromise in meetings with officials of the game’s national governing body UCA.

Though details of what they had agreed on were not readily available, the players reported for training at the Lugogo oval in Kampala.

Either party refused to comment on what transpired in the meetings. Davis Karashani’s team had a batting session with new coach Johan Rudolph and his assistant Henry Okecho.

The team is preparing for two upcoming ICC World Cup Qualifiers. The team had suspended training unhappy about spending the last one and half months without getting new contracts and consequently no pay.

The last contracts collectively expired after the ICC World Cricket League Division 3 in Bermuda. The event ended on May 5 after Uganda secured a rewarding second place finish.

UCA received a cash prize of $175,000 for the team’s performance. While the players wanted a slice of the money, they were prepared to accept UCA’s decision to set it aside for preparation for the upcoming ICC World Cup Qualifiers.

The players felt that nearly two months without contracts was a little out of place. Meanwhile, UCA is organizing a three-day trial match for the team.

The match will be held at the Lugogo Oval.