Davis Turinawe is busy preparing his Rwandese Cricket side for the Gahanga Invitational Tournament due next week.
The monumental event is a huge milestone for cricket in Rwanda as they open their state of the art Gahanga Cricket Stadium.
The facility fully funded by the Rwanda Cricket Stadium Foundation (RCFS) will be officially opened on 28th October with a celebrity cricket game between a Brian Lara select side and the ashes winning captain Micheal Vaughan side.
Turinawe took up the role of Development Manager for Rwanda Cricket last year and he has been away for some time now, but as long as cricket is on the menu Davis will not turn down an opportunity.
He has been passionate about coaching since his days in charge of Mwiri from where he moved on to coach the Ladies national team, U19 national team and then briefly the men’s national team.
A very competent wicket keeper batsman, he still enjoys Sunday cricket in Kigali where their T20 cricket league suits his style.
Kawowo Sports’ Denis Musali caught up with Turinawe for a brief chat about life in Rwanda, his stint with his senior side that didn’t last long and the future for cricket in Rwanda and Uganda.
What does your role as Development Manager Rwanda entail?
My Development Manager role is actually broad based. It ranges from overseeing regional development programs to coaching senior representative teams. There’s quite some stuff in between.
In your role as Development Manager what mile stones have you achieved with RCA?
Well, that is for the fraternity here in Rwanda to decide.
Compare the cricket culture in the 2 countries?
Rwandan cricket is relatively young (15 odd years). The game is still in its budding stages here, but to sum it up, unlike in Uganda, the heart wants the game but the body (natural athleticism) is challenging.
What is the future like for cricket in Rwanda?
The future here can only be determined by what experience can be gained out of the game. If Rwanda gets more chances to play against some decent outfits like Uganda and hopefully Kenya, then the future can only get brighter but that involves more than just wishing. Currently, the ladies are already turning out decent performances against their neighbors. It just shows what exposure can go to the game.
You are one of the few coaches with a level 3 qualification in East Africa. Do u feel under utilized in the region?
Again, if you broaden Rwanda’s picture and use East Africa in this case, the answer would be yes. Coaching is more about solving challenges. Honestly, there isn’t enough of a challenge at this East Africa level save for one-offs like the WCL and maybe multi day tournaments if they do come along
Talking your home country Uganda, you had a stint as coach of the national side but it didn’t last long. Can you shared what happened?
Not entirely sure what happened but, in my opinion, I felt some people’s egos were, well, ‘scratched’. What’s important though is that life went on and lessons were learned – hopefully!
Uganda got relegated from Division 3 in Kampala this year. What does the team need to do to rise again?
Look, Division 3 was one of those tournaments you want to quickly wash down the drain and hopefully players as well as team management took some notes from that. By Ugandan standards, we’ve now hit rock bottom. There’s no more room below to fall so the only way for Ugandan cricket is back up. The lads need to realize what is expected of them as individuals (honest self-reflection) and then as a national team. Short of that you’ll have a bit more regretting to do.
You have a big project opening in October. What does RCA have planned?
Nothing out of this world I must say… Well, we have an inauguration tournament and fellow East Africa countries – Uganda and Kenya – have graced it by sending competitive representative teams. Our partners, RCSF, have also invited five teams from the UK to join us in the week long tournament.
Also, various VIP’s have been invited for the grand opening on 28th October and that will be culminated
by a celebrity match involving cricket greats like Brian Lara, Makhaya Ntini, Micheal Vaughan, Steve Tikolo (yes, himself!) Sam Billings to mention but a few.
What plans does RCA have for Gahanga? Will it be possible to sustain the facility?
For some time, Rwanda has wanted to host tournaments. This is the first step towards that goal.
It’s not rocket science to realize that sustaining a good facility enhances your chances of getting some of these tourneys! Basically, maintenance is high on RCA’s list of priorities
Any plans for the future? Will you comeback and coach the cricket cranes?
Look, the game called me once; I responded! If the game calls me a second time, I’ll surely respond in the affirmative! Some of us were built for this game!
You have coached lots of players. Mention some that made a real impression on you over the
years?
Eh! Tough one this one! Arrange another ‘session’ for this!
Your all time Uganda XI?
- Arthur Kyobe
- Roger Mukasa (Wk)
- Joel Olwenyi
- Nehal Bibodi
- Benjamin Musoke
- Junior Kwebiha (C)
- Nandkishore Patel
- Kenneth Kamyuka
- Frank Nsubuga
- Henry Osinde
- Richard Okia
