Nyakasura is famous being the only school in Uganda that has the Scottish kilt as uniform but the western based Uganda School also hosted the first cricket game to ever be played in Uganda.
Nyakasura was one of the schools that used to just come and make up the numbers during cricket week. The children always showed heart but the big in skill was big compared to the privileged schools from other regions.
That was then, now Nyakasura is rated among the top 4 cricket playing schools in Uganda and also play in the Division 3 of the national league. They managed to travel to Rwanda for their maiden tour last year and the sky is the only limit.
Ivan Thawithwemwira – a winner of the ICC Volunteer of the Year award – is at the fore front of the rejuvenation of cricket in Nyakasura.
He spoke to Kawowo Sports about the journey and what the future holds for cricket in Nyakasura.
How have you been able to get Nyakasura from journey men to one of the top 4 cricket playing schools?
First and foremost, I will not take Glory that doesn’t belong to me, it is God who gave me the vision and call to go to work in Nyakasura. So it is because of Him that Nyakasura is what it is now. On my part, it has been about steady dedication to that call, persistence and endurance but most importantly, to know that gold (talent) is everywhere and we just have to refine it.
Tell us the history of cricket in Nyakasura, besides other sports?
Cricket in Nyakasura started a very long time ago as a matter of fact, the first cricket game in Uganda to my knowledge was played there between Buddo and Nyakasura but over the years, it suffered lack of attention and care, and in due process, sports like football gradually took over. But since the roots of cricket had long been established, it survived and is now readily the leading sport in the school again.
How difficult or easy has the whole process been given your work in Kampala and Nyakasura is 600km from Kampala?
The only difficulty is with the commuting. At first it was hard because we had to compete for the attention of students who had football and other sports to attend to. Plus, I had to win the trust of the school administration, letting them know I wanted nothing other giving back, but they always opened the school doors for me. Finding time and resources is what is problematic.
Cricket is no cheap sport, who has given you help along the way?
By all means it is not cheap, but God has always made ways to provide. There’s an Old Boy called Nsubuga Joseph who chips in with balls, or sometimes gives me fuel to go to coach. Also, guys like Alema Abraham, Ssebanja Jonathan, Hamu Kayondo, Kyobe Arthur, Muhumuza Deus, Bakunzi Derrick, Ogwang Jackson and Mukasa Roger have helped me to coach at various times.
What is the future of cricket in Nyakasura looking like?
The future of cricket in Nyakasura is absolutely bright. We have a number of students now that are actively playing the game. We have the team participating in the local league. We just need many doors open for us to sustain the growth.
Which players have shown the promise of atleast playing for the national team?
There are a number of them, and some you have already seen on the local league scene. Ajuna Robert obviously is one of them, Murungi Pascal, Businge Mattias and Businge Patrick, Asaba Brian, just to name a few. I might have to name the whole school…
What lessons did the boys pick on their Rwanda tour?
The Rwanda tour was intended to give us some kind of international exposure. We have to introduce the boys to the life of international cricket as early as possible. expose them to different conditions, play against different opposition, eat different food, live in a place other than home. Things that are part and parcel of the modern day cricketer.
In general, what is lacking in our development to help us go to the next level?
What lacks in general is a structure of development. I think we have not focused properly on our development method. Even what used to be done a long time ago isn’t done these days. We used to have Mr. Kamanyi and Mr. Walusinbi visit schools, then there were academies set up during holidays that are not in place anymore. As a result, the standards in Cricket Week are dwindling alarmingly.
We have focused on the same regions in Uganda for our cricket for so many years that we haven’t exploited other regions in the country that has limited our sample space. I believe if we make deliberate efforts, we shall find some good fast bowlers in the northern region, some good batsmen in Kabale plus elsewhere. We need to structure our development in such a way that we can prepare players for the international scene. Our local league needs to be geared towards preparing players for international duty. Our league is not the best breeding ground for a top-level cricketer.
I have just seen your account of cricket at Nyakasura. I ran the cricket between 1966 and 1968 and have many happy memories. I recall the Omukama of Toro District being a good fast bowler. Good to know that cricket is surviving..