Cricket for visually impaired tournament excites youngsters

A visually impaired girl from Salaama Secondary School swings hard at a delivery at Lugogo Hockey’s astro turf pitch yesterday. photo by DARREN ALLAN KYEYUNE

KAMPALA- Blind cricket has been in Uganda for close to a decade now. Though, an annual countrywide primary schools’ tournament has only taken place for three years.

The latest edition climaxed at Lugogo Hockey grounds yesterday with Mukono-based Salaama School of the Blind and Sir Apollo Kaggwa Nkokonjeru taking part in the final. After playing for over two weeks, the two schools formed franchise sides with Super Heroes, Secret Talent and Ebenezer winning in that order using plastic bats, ball and stumps. “Playing cricket is fun,” said Joseph Asiimwe, a short-sighted primary seven pupil from Salaama.

He and Annet Asiimwe were voted as best players by tournament director Martin Ondeko at the six-aside six-over tournament. But how does he go about it?

“When I hit the ball far, I can’t see it but I follow the sound and then run,” Asiimwe said. “If I am helped, I believe I can play cricket at a bigger stage.” Unfortunately, blind cricket is not part of the disciplines at the Paralymic Games.