There is no room for the fainted hearted, it is often said. Team Uganda will be away from home and will be required to play their best cricket as they start their road to Bangladesh for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup due 2014.
Led by skipper Naomi Kayondo, they jet out of the country on Saturday morning to Dar es Salaam for the qualifiers ahead of the tourney’s fourth edition. And for the next four days, they will fight for the lone slot alongside Kenya, hosts Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
But with latter two much fancied, Uganda will be up to a daunting task. Action starts on Sunday afternoon against the hosts Tanzania at the Annadil Burhani grounds and coach Henry Okecho is taking no chances.
“All games present similar challenges and there is no easy team,” he said. And before they set off, he has already urged the ladies to play their hearts out and know how to take on the twenty20 games. “If you do not play well, then you can lose a game so soon,”
He added: “Even one who is better than you can beat you in a T20 game unlike the other longer format of cricket so the girls can do it.” South Africa will open up against Zimbabwe at Burhani while Kenya play Namibia at the USDM grounds. Uganda will play Kenya on Monday morning at the USDM ground before meeting South Africa later in the day.
Sunday Opening Fixtures
Morning
South Africa vs. Zimbabwe – Annadil Burhani
Kenya vs. Namibia – USDM
Afternoon
Uganda vs. Tanzania – Annadil Burhani
South Africa vs. Namibia – USDM
TEAM UGANDA: Barbara Mukankusi (Captain), Rita Nyangyendo, Flavia Laker (Asst. Captain), Franklyn Najjumba, Kevin Apio, Carol Namugenyi, Gertrude Candiru, Gloria Adubu, Sharifah Kutaaka, Mary Nalule, Consy Aweko, Sharon Athoula, Scovia Akello and Naomi Kayondo