Ugandan cricket is still gasping for breath ever since the host nation succumbed to shock relegation at the ICC World Cricket League Division Three tournament back in May, a first in Ugandan cricket history. Certainly, some blame has been put to UCA for not nurturing talent to the top stage.
So focus is now down to the U-19 feeder side. The teenagers are believed to carry the luck and a fresh breath into the gentleman’s game in the East African nation. Considering the current state of affairs, the Uganda U-19s carry the nation’s belief at the moment. The coach Francis Otieno-tutored side will play at the ICC Africa U-19 World Cup qualifiers from July 1-8 in Kenyas capital Nairobi.
The Baby Cricket Cranes will face hosts Kenya, Botswana and Ghana in six round-robin matches with the winner earning the lone ticket to next year’s ICC Youth World Cup slated for New Zealand. Uganda last took part at this global event 11 years ago when Sri Lanka hosted in 2006. The side had also featured two years prior in Bangladesh. The crop of players such Emmanuel Isaneez, Raymond Otim, Arthur Kyobe, Roger Mukasa, Hamza Saleh, Denis Musali and Davis Karashani that featured at those two editions is that which has held the mantle for Uganda’s senior side over the past decade.
Many believe they are now weary and a change of guard can only be enforced if Kenneth Waiswa and company make the grade. “I believe we can do it,” high profile all-rounder Waiswa told this website. “In recent times, we have failed to make the U-19 World Cup because of poor batting,” he said. “However, our side can bat up to number nine which made team selection difficult. And our team has been together for a while since the U-16 days.” added the Aziz Damani cricket club player.
Waiswa has played with Zephania Arinaitwe, Siraj Nsubuga, Rogers Olipa, Frank Akankwasa and Ronald Opio for nearly four years and it is this chemistry and lessons from the failed 2015 ICC U-19 Global World Cup Qualifier in Malaysia which should spur this side.
ICC AFRICA U-19 WC QUALIFIER
DETAILS
Dates: July 1-8
Venue: Nairobi, Kenya
Participating Nations: Kenya, Botswana, Ghana and Uganda
TOURNAMENT FIXTURES
JULY 1
Uganda vs. Botswana, Jaffrey
Kenya vs. Ghana, Gymkhana
JULY 2
Ghana vs. Uganda, Jaffrey
Kenya vs. Botswana, Gymkhana
JULY 3: REST DAY
JULY 4
Kenya vs. Uganda, Jaffrey
Ghana vs. Botswana, Gymkhana
JULY 5
Ghana vs. Kenya, Jaffrey
Botswana vs. Uganda, Gymkhana
JULY 6: REST DAY
JULY 7
Kenya vs. Botswana, Jaffrey
Uganda vs. Ghana, Gymkhana
JULY 8
Ghana vs. Botswana, Jaffrey
Uganda vs. Kenya, Gymkhana
This writer is a scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and, also a sports presenter with NBS Television and Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune