Players set to lose contracts as stakeholders map way forward

TODAY - NATIONAL TWENTY20 LEAGUE
ACC vs. Mwiri (3pm, Lugogo Oval)
Tornado vs. Rounders (3pm, Kyambogo)

Kampala

Ugandan cricket is arguably at its lowest ebb after the senior men’s team faltered at two global International Cricket Council (ICC)World Cup qualifying tournaments during the last seven months.

Saturday Monitor understands that the players are now likely to pay the price for their dismal showings as Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) stakeholders are intent on not renewing their contracts alongside that of coach Johan Rudolph. The stakeholders’ meeting is on at Kati Kati Restaurant, Lugogo this morning. But UCA CEO Justine Ligyalingi offers else.

“As UCA, we are required by ICC to have a full-time qualified coach and a secretariat. So those will not be compromised,” said the sports administrator.

“We also still have to wait for ICC to reveal the fixtures of our next participation in the World Cricket League to make a decision on the senior side. But our priorities are now on development.” UCA’s contract with 20 players ran out at the end of January and each player will lose an estimated Shs7.2m for the next 12 months if the meet endorses what is now a public secret.

The Cricket Cranes stars’ future is however just a drop in the ocean as several bold decisions, some of which will leave some members’ feathers ruffled, are expected to be made. One thing, though, is certain that UCA will be intent on mapping a way forward for the gentleman’s game in Uganda.

“We are going to review our strategic plan,” said.
“Three years ago we put in place a long-term plan of 10 years. But it had a two-to-three-year short-term project. We would now like the stakeholders to help us gauge how we fared, where we want to go and what we need to do to get there. We have to get a plan for the next three years.”

Ligyalingi adds that the stakeholders will be looking to bury the hatchet and look to the future with optimism. “We want to get the academies back in place and fully operational, offer the women’s game more attention, give priority to the schools development programme, get a two-day elite league on our calendar and initiate a development side to play as Uganda A.”

UCA have sent 50 invites to stakeholders including sponsors, players, executive members and journalists.

PREVIOUSLY CONTRACTED
Davis Karashani, Frank Nsubuga, Roger Mukasa, Arthur Kyobe, Charles Waiswa, Raymond Otim, Selowa Mukobe, Jonathan Ssebanja, Richard Okia, Ham Kayondo, Brian Masaba, Henry Ssenyondo, Abram Mutyagaba, Patrick Ochan, Lawrence Ssematimba, Deus Muhumuza, Hamza Saleh, Farouk Ochimi, Arthur Ziraba and Benjamin Musoke