When everyone else thought all was being concocted for the World Cricket League Division Three (WCLDT), Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) did the unthinkable.
Barely 40 days to the WCLDT event to be hosted in Kampala, UCA executive took a broad step as they appointed Peter Kirsten as new national team coach just less than 40 days to the global showpiece.
Former South African wicket-keeper Kirsten takes reigns from Davis Turinawe who had held the mantle since June 1, hardly three months into the job.
“Peter Kirsten has been appointed as the Technical Director and will among other tasks handle the National Men’s team,” read part of a statement by UCA CEO Justine Ligyalingi.
“Peter brings a lot of experience to the set up and The Association hopes that the above appointments will position us better in our campaigns to excel at the respective tournaments,” it said.
Albeit the huge expectations, the Nakawa-based body’s bold decision has already received mixed reactions from the fraternity. “I don’t think the timing was right,” opined one of the UCA board members, who preferred anonymity.
“But if a cancer is eating you up in a certain part of the body, then you better deal away with that affected area as soon as possible,” he said.
Kirsten, also a former Springboks fly-half, will first be tasked with a return back home when he guides the Cricket Cranes at the Africa Sixes Challenge from September 5-13 in Pretoria.
The 59-year old Kirsten will be assisted by Micheal Ndiko as the Team Trainer and the Team Manager will be Andrew Meya.
Meanwhile, Turinawe has been moved back to the role of U-19 boys’ team, a post he held since 2012 until last year and his major role is to prepare for the World Cup Qualifiers due January in South Africa.
TURINAWE AT A GLANCE
Date of birth: March 31, 1977
Started playing: 1991
Playing position: Wicket-keeper, Left-hand batsman
Current club: Tornado CC
National team debut: 1998 (Against Kenya Select XI in Nairobi)
Current position: Head Coach Cricket Cranes (June 1, 2014-??)
Previous position: Head Coach U-19 Cricket Cranes (2012-13)
KIRSTEN AT A GLANCE
Full name: Peter Noel Kirsten
Born: May 14, 1955, Pietermaritzburg, Natal
Current age: 59 years 102 days
Major teams: South Africa, Border, Derbyshire, Sussex, Western Province
Batting style: Right-hand bat
Bowling style: Right-arm off-break
Relations: Father – N.Kirsten, Brother – AM.Kirsten, Half-brother – G.Kirsten, Half-brother – P.Kirsten