Ligyalingi passion grows three-fold after ICC rise
Forever grateful. I will always remain indebted to UCA, National Council of Sports (NCS) and Busoga College Mwiri. These institutions provided me with a platform plus supported me to build my career. Lastly, I would not have achieved my career dreams without the support of my parents (RIP), Pithy Ndiko (Veteran Sports Administrator & Former Headmaster), Abraham Lutaya (former NCS General Secretary) and the ‘Baino’ friends. I cannot also thank enough the ‘Great Team’ at the UCA Secretariat that I worked with for the last eight years. I am forever grateful. Thanks for my interview.
What you need to know:
- Cricket. Just last month, International Cricket Council (ICC) Senior Manager Development Services Andy Hobbs announced to the cricketing world that Ugandan Justine Ligyalingi had been appointed the new ICC Development Officer for Africa effective July 1.
- Endowed with an astute disciplinarian-supreme character, Ligyalingi’s latest elevation makes him the first Ugandan to don the coveted ICC jacket after serving an eight-year term as Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) CEO.
- Ligyalingi largely takes credit for Uganda’s continued rise across all age-group categories and national teams in the world echelons as well as building UCA a formidable and functional secretariat.
- SCORE Editor Innocent Ndawula & reporter Makhtum Muziransa got Ligyalingi to talk about his new role, challenges ahead and future of the game in Africa.
Congratulations on your appointment Justine Ligyalingi. From CEO Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) to ICC Development Officer for Africa, tell us what your role involves?
Thanks. The roles mainly involve working with the African Members to grow the game of cricket in terms of participation numbers, playing standards, manpower and infrastructure development. It involves supporting the Members in delivering various programs that support the long term strategic goals of ICC and its Members.
How did ICC prepare you for your role?
I have had an opportunity to undergo an elaborate induction session conducted by both ICC and CSA. This equipped me better.
You had retired as CEO. So were you just appointed?
ICC advertised the position globally in December 2017 and that’s when I applied for it with other people. However, I was appointed after a series of interviews at various levels.
Do you think joining ICC will open the gates for more Ugandans and East Africans to join the world governing body in different roles and how crucial is it for them to serve at such a level?
Kenyan legend Tom Tikolo was the first person to serve ICC as East Africa Development Officer and he did a commendable job. That inspired some of us to keep aspiring to serve the game in such roles in the future. Hopefully we can in turn inspire others to strive and work hard towards serving in the opportunities that continue to emerge periodically.
Travelling 23 Cricket Playing Nations in Africa, isn’t it too much? Won’t you break down and tire or do you look at it as fascinating?
It’s all about working smart with the Members and having passion for what I am doing. While applying for this role, I was full aware of its demands and challenges.
In which of these countries are you going to be based?
Fortunately, I will be based at home in Uganda.
But how does Uganda benefit from your appointment?
We give equal opportunities to all the Members including Uganda. However, the advantage for Uganda is that it has more time for the physical discussions of the delivery of the programs.
We saw you at the ICC WorldT20 Africa B Qualifier (East Africa) in Kigali in July lifting tables, and running traffic in a hands-on way, is that the same approach of more action and less words you’re going to employ even to your juniors?
I have always believed in teamwork and this at times involves lending a helping hand to everyone in the execution of their duties.
There were many naysayers in Uganda cricket circles saying that as CEO you didn’t do much to help the game here. What do you make of such comments?
I will let others judge my performance. However, as a team we had many achievements during the eight years and also some areas where we fell short. Overall I believe the association is in a better and enviable position.
In a recent interview with us, you spoke of challenges during your tenure as CEO. Which were the biggest challenges and how were they addressed?
The biggest challenge was satisfying the multi interests/expectations of the various stakeholders like funders, fans, players, clubs and schools with limited resources. However, these were often addressed with periodical stakeholders’ engagements and prioritisation.
How did this fairly tough experience as UCA CEO build you for this continental role?
Over the years I have gained wider understanding of the problems, needs, practical interventions of growing the game. Most of these apply in many Member countries. In addition it provided me with experience to cope with the pressure and working with people of multiple backgrounds and interests
Speaking people, tell us about the new CEO Martin Ondeko. Him being UCA Operations Manager during your tenure, he was literally your assistant. Is he the man UCA needed at this pivotal time?
Like I mentioned earlier, I like to build a team and over time support them grow in their careers. Martin exhibited potential over the years to handle such a role and so I am glad he was given an opportunity.
You worked under many UCA chairpersons. Take us through them and maybe make a pick of who your best was. True I worked under various chairpersons with each having his unique management style and varying contributions to the game. I give them all credit for guiding the Association over the years plus empowering me and my team to deliver the various programs.
What do you think is the problem area of cricket in Uganda and East Africa in terms of administration?
This is an interesting area with diverging opinions across the Member countries. However, we are currently working with our Members to agree on these crucial issues in the respective areas and possible interventions.
Your told this paper earlier that you had retired to go into personal business, how is that playing out now that you’re always on the move?
This is a family business where I am not involved in its running and was only giving an extra hand as I took a rest from work before I took up my next assignment.
