Uganda Cricket Association flagged off the Uganda Baby Cricket Cranes for the upcoming ICC World Cup Africa Regional qualifiers scheduled for September 28th to October 7th in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Uganda U19 Boy’s Cricket National team were flagged on Friday. 25th. September. 2021 and is expected to depart the country on Monday. 27th. September for Rwanda.

The goal for the Baby Cricket Cranes is to emerge champions in the 50-over format tourney and notch the single continental slot to the 2022 U19 World Cup in the West Indies.

Uganda, who have been to two U19 World Cups in 2004 (Dhaka, Bangladesh) and 2006 (Colombo, Sri Lanka), will be hoping to make it for the third time but have to first over come Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania and hosts Rwanda in the five-nation round robin event that will be played at Gahanga International Cricket Stadium and newly renovated Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC) located in Kicukiro – Kigali.

Captain Pascal Murungi, Juma Miyagi and Vice Captain all-rounder Ismail Munir are the three survivors from the last U-19 campaign in Namibia 2019.

Uganda’s build up to the event has been worthwhile with Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) ensuring that the team trained well under the watchful eye of Head Coach Ivan Thawithemwira and his assistant Robinson Turinawe.

In preparations, the 20 man squad that had camped base for two weeks in a Bio-Secure Bubble at Hawaii Resort in Entebbe as per the requirement in the New Normal because of the COVID 19 Pandemic effects had focus on individual skills, game management as well as team bonding.

Earlier this month, the Baby Cricket Cranes showed glimpses of what they can do at the competitive stage against Kaduna State despite losing all the three 50-over matches and one T20 encounter.

Uganda will start their campaign against Namibia in a battle of pre-tournament favourites and victory for either side will put them in the driver’s seat to qualify for the final tournament in West Indies.

THE TEAM:

1. Pascal Murungi (Captain), 2. Juma Miyagi, 3. Brian Asaba, 4. Cyrus Kakuru, 5. Ronald Omara, 6. Ronald Lutaaya, 7. Joseph Baguma, 8. Christopher Kidega, 9. Matthew Musinguzi, 10. Ismail Munir (Vice-Captain), 11. Ackram Nsubuga, 12. Pius Oloka, 14. Isaac Sanyu Ategeka. Officials: Ivan Thawithemwira (Head Coach), Robinson Turinawe (Assistant Coach), Habib Kulusum Anguyo (Physiotherapist), Sylvester Rokani (Team Manager).

UGANDA’S SCHEDULE:

-Thursday, September 30th: Uganda vs. Namibia – IPRC Kigali

-Sunday, October 3rd: Uganda vs. Rwanda – Gahanga Stadium

-Monday, October 4th: Uganda vs. Nigeria – Gahanga Stadium

-Wednesday, October 6th: Uganda vs. Tanzania – IPRC Kigali

By Regan Kyanda www.sportznow.ug writer.