I am excited and anxious - Tikolo
CEO Justine Ligyalingi hands over a bat and ball to new Cricket Cranes coach Tikolo (3rd L). Kamya (L), Ndiko (2nd L), Ogwang (4th L), Isaneez (4th R), Tumusiime (3rd R), Mugalula (2nd R) and Okecho (R) are the other coaches appointed by Uganda Cricket Association. Inset is Tikolo making a point during yesterday’s press conference in Lugogo. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO
What you need to know:
Cricket. Kenyan legend refers to Lugogo as the backyard of his second home Uganda and reveals that national team selection was open to all players in Uganda.
KAMPALA. Kenyan legend Steve Tikolo described Uganda as his second home and Lugogo as its backyard on his second coming as Cricket Cranes coach.
Tikolo was in Uganda, Lugogo in particular, for 10 months in 2012/13 as an assistant/batting coach during a fairytale reign that saw Uganda win the T20 African Premier League (APL) in 2012 and also seamlessly sailed through to the World Cricket League (WCL) Division II after dominating proceedings in Bermuda 2013.
The 44-year-old also has fond memories of Lugogo having stroked a superb ton of 149 at the home of cricket in Uganda as Kenya (32 points) batted Uganda (15 points) out of the Intercontinental Cup in 2005 and he meant every bit of the phrase about Lugogo and Uganda. “I am not a stranger in Uganda,” Tikolo spotting a straight face told journalists at a function held to unveil a galaxy of coaches appointed by Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) to spearhead the ambitious Project 2016/17.
“I have been here several times. This is my second home and I will be comfortable. I am excited and anxious in a positive way.”
Challenge ahead
Tikolo also spoke about the challenge ahead. “Our immediate target is to qualify back to Division II. The training is open to all players who believe they have what it takes to play for Uganda. I will also monitor the league and see whoever is performing. Then in July, I will name a provisional squad of 30, he said.
“I am determined to achieve the targets before me and I believe the boys have it in them to bounce back. I am a man of few words and my work will speak for itself.”
Michael Ndiko will serve as Tikolo’s assistant on a one-year renewable contract whereas UCA development manager Henry Okecho takes over the mantle as both U-23 and U-19 national men’s teams head coach. His assistants are Emmanuel Isaneez and Jackson Ogwang.
“The two teams at my disposal are very significant to the future of the game in Uganda. They bring together players that are closely aged and both teams will offer platforms for the players to express themselves before playing for the national team. The U-23s will sort of be like our Uganda A side.”
John Tumusiime and Emmanuel Kamya are in charge of the national U-15 side whereas celebrated Habibu Mugalula is the new tutor of the National U-19 girls’ team in what promises to be both an exciting and crucial period for the game in Uganda.
