Cricket

Young talent shines at Mini Cricket Central Qualifiers in Lugogo

Published

2 months ago

April 16, 2026

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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Cricket

Cricket Cranes nick second T20 game against Mumbai Colts XI

Published

1 week ago

May 27, 2026

Logan Mclaughlin

Second T20: Cricket Cranes Mumbai Tour
Result: Cricket Cranes 134/6 beat MCA XI 133/9 by 4 wickets

Uganda’s Cricket Cranes picked up a win in the second T20 match on their Mumbai Tour to make a great comeback from the loss in the first game.

The Cricket Cranes made changes to the team with tour Captain Fred Achellam rested and Henry Ssenyondo taking over the reins. Siraje Nsubuga and Enock Kasaijja also made a return to the playing XI.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first. Juma Miyaji struck early for the visitors, but the hosts had their moments to take on the game with some top and middle order contributions.

Tanvish Vaze (3/26) was the pick among the wicket takers, with Enock Kasaija (2/25) picking up a couple, as the hosts finished on 133/9 in their quota of 20 overs.

Sarvesh Patil (54) anchored the run chase at the top of the order for the Cricket Cranes, with Tanvish Vase (38) the only other notable contribution in a nervous chase for the visitors.

Gerald Olipa couldn’t follow up his half-century from the first T20 match as Anas Baig (13) was the only other batter to get into double figures.

The Cricket Cranes will play two more T20 games before returning to base.

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Cricket

Baby Cricket Cranes start strong against visiting Rwanda U-19 Side

Published

1 week ago

May 27, 2026

Logan Mclaughlin

1st 50 over Game: Uganda 231 all out beat Rwanda U-19 112 all out by 119 runs
2nd 50 Over Game: Uganda U-19 172/5 beat Rwanda U-19 169 all out by 5 wickets

Uganda’s Baby Cricket Cranes picked up their second win of the High Performance Cup, that is featuring the visiting Rwanda U-19 team.

The two sides are preparing for the Division 2 U-19 World Cup Qualifiers in August in Rwanda as a pathway to the 2028 U-19 World Cup Qualifier.

The new look Uganda U-19 side features many new faces, with only four players part of the unsuccessful side in Nigeria last year.

The notable wins for the Ugandan team have been an improvement in the application of the youngsters in the long format. The youngsters are usually accustomed to playing T20 cricket, and making the adjustment is usually very hard. However, in the two games, the side has shown a desire to play some long innings without throwing away their wickets.

Robert Owili (79) led the way in the first game with a well-crafted half-century that helped the hosts post a big total. In the response, Hamid Munigwa (4/28) ensured the result was safe for the hosts with some neat bowling from his slow left-arm spin.

In the second game, Rwanda won the toss and elected to bat. Gihozo Elese (51) battled valiantly with the tail to get his side to 168 inside 42 overs. The visitors showed better application in the middle under extreme stress, especially from the Ugandan fast bowlers.

In the run chase, the visitors struck early, but a good partnership between Eric Mukisa (43) and Robert Owili (34) calmed the nerves for the hosts, with the middle holding it together to see through the game and bring up a five-wicket win.

The series is timely for the technical committee to make sure they can get the youngsters ready for the qualifiers.

Uganda dropped down the Division from the last qualifier and will be looking to climb up the rankings and have a shot at a 3rd World Cup appearance.

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Cricket

Cricket Cranes fall in first T20 on Mumbai Tour

Published

1 week ago

May 27, 2026

Kenny Malone

Uganda XI — 112 all out (17.2 Ov)
Falcons — 118/9 (19.1 Ov)
Falcons won by 1 wicket

Cricket Cranes dropped their first game on their ongoing tour of Mumbai. In a low-scoring thriller, the visitors didn’t have enough runs, which worked against them in the end.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bowl first, and they immediately made inroads into the batting of the Cricket Cranes.

The top three were cleaned up cheaply to leave the Cricket Cranes railing at 21/3, but the counterattack came from Gerald Olipa (52) with his first half century in the yellow of the Cricket Cranes.

Ronald Lutaaya (17) was the only other batter to get into double figures as the Cricket Cranes were bundled out for only 112 inside 18 overs.

In the run chase, the visitors were cruising, and inside the powerplay, despite losing three wickets, they were 53/3 scoring at over 10 runs an over.

The run chase was brought to a halt momentarily with a miserly spell from Henry Ssenyondo, who gave away just 13 runs in his quota of four overs and picked up two wickets.

The offspin of Joseph Baguma came at a cost despite picking two wickets; he gave away 30 runs in his 3.1 overs.

A valiant fight for the Cricket Cranes, but ultimately, the lack of runs on board denied them a good result.

It was the first loss of the visitors after getting a clean sweep in the 50 Over version. They will be back in action tomorrow morning for their second T20 match.

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