The Mini Cricket Central Qualifiers brought excitement and youthful energy to Lugogo last week as Primary School teams from across the Central Region gathered to compete for a slot in the national finals later this year.

Organized under the Mini Cricket Central Program, the tournament featured 12 schools, including DELI International, SHIRI International, Naguru Infant, Shimoni, Naguru Katale, Budo Junior School, and Greenhill Academy.

The event served as a key stepping stone, with the top teams advancing to face regional champions from areas like Kumi, Kasese, Mukono, Mpigi, and Masaka before proceeding to the national finals, also set to take place in Lugogo.

Speaking at the event, Programme Coordinator Derek Bakunzi expressed his enthusiasm for the competition and the sport’s growth among young learners. He highlighted that beyond competition, the tournament is designed to nurture discipline, teamwork, and character among participants.

Throughout the day, it became clear that cricket is doing more than just developing athletic ability; it is shaping behaviour and attitudes among the players.

Amazing Grace Masaroka from East Kololo Primary School shared how the sport has influenced her positively. She emphasised the importance of patience, respect, and avoiding conflict, noting that since the tournament began, players have demonstrated discipline, with no incidents of fighting or abusive language. She credited the organisers and officials for creating an environment where young learners can grow both on and off the field.

For Jovan Kito of Budo Junior School, the tournament has reinforced the value of teamwork. He explained that cricket has taught him perseverance and unity, stressing that success and failure are shared responsibilities among teammates. His coach’s message, “we win as a team and lose as a team”, has become a guiding principle for the players.

Meanwhile, Joweola Opolot from Greenhill Academy described the experience as both educational and enjoyable. Having learned essential skills such as batting and bowling techniques, she encouraged other students to take up the sport, noting its potential to open doors and create opportunities for the future.

The Mini Cricket Central Qualifiers also reflected the growing investment in grassroots sports development. Teachers and coaches have played a vital role in preparing the teams, ensuring that students not only compete but also learn valuable life skills.

As the tournament progresses, attention now turns to the next stages, with regional qualifiers scheduled in Kumi, Soroti, Kasese, and Gulu. The journey will culminate in regional finals in Kampala, where the best young cricketers from across the country will compete for national glory.

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Easter T20 Series: Matchday 3 Results

• Morning: Uganda 93/6 beat Uganda A 54/7 by 39 runs
• Afternoon: Uganda 124/6 beat USA 59 all out by 65 runs

Victoria Pearls will need just one win to secure the Easter T20 Series after picking up two wins on Matchday 3.

In the morning game, a short 14-Over affair due to the persistent drizzle at the Lakeside Oval, the seniors came out on top by 39 runs in a dominant performance.

The senior ladies put on 93/6 in their 14 Overs, with the partnership between Kevin Awino (25) and Stephanie Nampiina (30) the difference between the two sides.

In the chase, only captain Phiona Khulume (18) got into double digits, with the rest of his charges unable to mount any serious challenge. The Uganda A side is yet to pick up a win in the series.

In the afternoon, Janet Mbabazi won the toss and elected to bat against the visitors. Immaculate Nakisuyi (35) took charge with the support coming from Stephanie Nampiina (20) and Rita Musamali (26) as the hosts piled on their highest total of the tournament so far.

In the run chase, the slow bowling options of Consy Aweko (3/13) and Sarah Akiteng (4/12) never allowed the visitors any chance to mount a challenge, bundling them out for just 59. Sarah Akiteng took her tally of wickets in the tournament to 13, keeping the hosts unbeaten so far.

Action will continue tomorrow with the Uganda A side taking on the visitors, USA, in the morning and their seniors in the afternoon to finish their quota of games for the series.

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Avengers delivered a disciplined all-round performance to defeat Wanderers by 45 runs in the Men’s 50 Overs League – Silver encounter, after successfully defending a modest total of 144.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Avengers CC endured a shaky start, losing early wickets with Hariom Dudharejiya and Abraiz Mir Ali falling cheaply inside the first three overs.

However, Timothy Kawanguzi (26) steadied the innings briefly before a middle-order rebuild was led by Christopher Kidega, who top-scored with a fluent 46 off 40 balls, striking three boundaries and two sixes.

Kidega found support from Atul Rana (20) and Yashashvi Joshi (13), helping Avengers recover from 45/4 to push past the 100-run mark.

Despite regular wickets falling, Avengers managed to post 144 all out in 35.2 overs.

Wanderers’ bowling unit was impressive, with Eric Mukisa leading the attack with an excellent four-wicket haul, while Ivan Kakande and Edward Mugwanya picked up two wickets each to keep the scoring in check.

In response, Wanderers never quite gained momentum in their chase of 145. Mandeep Singh (20) and Julius Okema (22) provided a cautious start, but once the opening partnership was broken, wickets began to tumble at regular intervals.

The turning point came through an outstanding spell from Yashashvi Joshi, who ripped through Wanderers’ batting lineup with remarkable figures of 6/19 in 9.3 overs. His accuracy and control proved too much for the opposition, triggering a collapse from 57/1 to 83/9.

Only Joseph Byaruhanga (18) showed late resistance, but it was not enough to prevent Wanderers from being bowled out for 99 in 24.3 overs.

Solomon Otim and Hariom Dudharejiya provided solid support with the ball, ensuring Avengers maintained pressure throughout the innings.

In the end, Avengers’ ability to recover with the bat and dominate with the ball secured them a convincing 45-run victory, with Yashashvi Joshi emerging as the standout performer of the match.

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