We are ready for Africa - LOC chairman Kaheru

NCS’ Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo (4th L) and the LOC during the African showpiece launch yesterday. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO

KAMPALA- When Uganda hosted International Cricket Council (ICC) Division III World Cricket League (WCL) in May 2017, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) got an outstanding review for the work done although the national team – The Cricket Cranes didn’t fare well on the oval.

And when ICC Development Manager for Africa Patricia Kambarami announced, in October 2018, that Uganda would host the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup Africa Final from May 17-25, it didn’t entirely come as a surprise. There was also no panic within the Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) as they had in a place a tried and tested team in place after the ‘trial run’ in 2017. UCA looked no further than Paul Kaheru, to chair the LOC after his stellar stint in 2017. Kaheru, too, didn’t try to get too clever by appointing only three new committee heads on his 11-man team that has no option but to scale their heights.

“I’m privileged to have been given the honour to lead the LOC as I did when we hosted the WCL Div III a few years ago,” said Kaheru during the press briefing held to unveil the LOC and fixtures schedule at Lugogo Cricket Ground yesterday. “The team is almost the same and I trust that we will deliver an even better tournament than we did back then. Our wish is that we have bigger crowds as we intend to provide a great atmosphere at all the games. We are more than ready for Africa.”

Kaheru, who will be assisted by the hosting UCA CEO Martin Ondeko, in a Tournament Coordinator role said that ICC had funded the tournament to a tune of $180,000 (Shs672m) with UCA expected to supplement the budget with an anticipated $50,000 (Shs186m) from their partners.

This is the third time Uganda will be hosting this event since 2011 and Ondeko believes it help Uganda market and promote the gentleman’s game to a bigger corporate crowd.

The other nine members of the committee include; Cissy Musiime (security), Dr Dennis Buwembo (medical), Innocent Ndawula (media and communications), Alvin Bagaya (accommodation), Rita Tinka (catering), Grace Mutyagaba (domestic transport), Denis Musali (liaison), Hanumant Katkar (stadia) and Kenneth Mulondo for accreditation.

The released event schedule shows that the tournament will have 15 games featuring six nations; Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria and host nation Uganda; on a one-round robin basis in five-match days with one rest/reserve day. The top two nations will progress to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in United Arab Emirates (UAE) from October 11 to November 3, 2019.

ICC MEN’S T20 WORLD CUP AFRICA FINAL
UGANDA’S FIXTURES
19 May: Uganda vs. Kenya 1.50pm, Lugogo
20 May: Uganda vs. Botswana 1.50pm, Lugogo
21 May: Namibia vs. Uganda 9.30am, Kyambogo
23 May: Uganda vs. Ghana 1.50pm, Lugogo
24 May: Nigeria vs. Uganda 1.50pm, Lugogo