Tuesday, June 18
*Tanzania Vs Uganda – 9:30AM
*Rwanda Vs Mali – 1:30PM
Uganda’s Women Cricket team will be targeting a victory against Tanzania as the Genocide Memorial Cricket Tournament starts in Rwanda.
Locally known as the Kwibuka Cricket for peace Women’s T20 tourney, it will feature four countries – Uganda, Tanzania, Mali and hosts Rwanda.
There has been a late change in the fixture time as Uganda was supposed to face Tanzania in the afternoon but this was changed to be the first game after Mali are reportedly expected to arrive late.
“It’s very important for us to win this opening games so as we give ourselves momentum for other games,” team captain Rita Musamali told the-SportsNation on Monday evening after the team’s final practice in Rwanda.
Uganda arrived in Rwanda on Monday at 4:00 AM, after a long and tiresome bus journey, and held a light training session in the evening.
Musamali, an all rounder who turns out for Aziz Damani will be playing at the tourney for the second time after being there last year when Uganda came second to Kenya.
Musamali added:
“As the captain, I think the team at large should cooperate together and backup each other so that we can bring out the best and win matches.
“Our target here is to win all our games so that we bring back the trophy. And we can.”
The team, coached by Michael Grace Ndiko is a blend of young and old – the team has six youngsters that stood out in the Girls Cricket week in May and eight of the senior players that featured in the Women World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe.
All the games at this year’s tourney will be played at the magnificent Gahanga International Cricket Stadium.
Without defending champions Kenya, Uganda will be the outright favourites to win this year’s crown which has attained a T20 international status.
Uganda has won this title twice, Rwanda are yet to win it same as Tanzania and Mali who will be making their official debuts.
Despite not going with the seniors (as it has been the case) like Frankly Najjumba, Kevin Awino among others, Uganda with Musamali and assistant Nakisuyi, have enough armoury to take down the rest.
This will be played on a two round-robin format with each country facing each other twice. The team with most points will be crowned 2019 champions.
Also on Menu:
*Wednesday, June 19, 2019
9.30am: Mali vs. Tanzania
1.30pm: Uganda vs. Rwanda
*Thursday, June 20, 2019
9.30am: Uganda vs. Mali
1.30pm: Rwanda vs. Tanzania
*Friday, June 21, 2019
9.30am: Rwanda vs. Mali
1.30pm: Tanzania vs. Uganda
*Saturday, June 22, 2019
9.30am: Mali vs. Tanzania
1.30pm: Uganda vs. Rwanda
*Sunday, June 23, 2019
9.30am: Uganda vs. Mali
1.30pm: Rwanda vs. Tanzania
