Uganda Cricket today flagged off a team of 14 ladies and 4 officials for a build up tour to Tanzania. The ladies are preparing for the global World Cup Qualifiers to be held in Netherlands in July.
The team will be led by Mary Nanderenga Makumbi as Head of Delegation with Lydia Bakumpe as Team Manager and Grace Mutyagaba and Francis Otieno as the coaches.
The team is captained by Jinja SSS wicket keeper Kevin Awino who is assisted Wanderers Captain Janet Mbabazi.
The squad is missing 4 ladies who were part of the victorious team in Namibia. MVP Gertrude Chandiru misses because of illness, Carol Namugenyi work commitments, Naomi Kayondo is out of the country on further studies and Joyce Mary Apio misses because of poor form.
This means 4 new players will be making their debut and these are Evelyn Anyipo (Wanderers), Esther Ilukor (Olila), Irene Alumo (Masaka SSS) and Claire Mushakamba (Jinja SSS).
At the flag off UCA Operations Manager Martin Ondeko mentioned;
This is one of the many build ups lined up for the ladies ahead of the Global Qualifiers due in July. The team will also have another build up in April before they can finally travel to compete in July. We pray that these build ups will give the technical team enough time to evaluate the players and make sure they can be able to compete with the big nations at the global qualifiers.
Assistant Coach Grace Mutyagaba spoke about the importance of the tour;
We want to have a look at the new players in the team and what options they give us. Joyce Mary Apio misses out because she has been out of form but she is very much in our plans considering she was very pivotal in our success in Namibia.
The team will fly out tomorrow morning and will return on February 1.
Full Team
- Kevin Awino (Captain, Jinja SSS)
- Janet Mbabazi (Vice Captain, Wanderers)
- Stephanie Nampiina (Jinja SSS)
- Rita Musamali (Jinja SSS)
- Irene Alumo (Masaka SSS)
- Franklyn Najjumba (KICC)
- Saidat Kemigisha (Tornado Bee)
- Mary Nalule (Tornado Bee)
- Consy Aweko (Wanderers)
- Immaculate Nakisuyi (Masaka SSS)
- Rachel Ntono (Olila)
- Claire Mushakamba (Jinja SSS)
- Esther Ilukor (Olila)
- Evelyn Anyipo (Wanderers)
Team Officials
- Francis Ndege Otieno (Coach)
- Grace Mutyagaba (Assistant Coach)
- Lydia Bakumpe (Team Manager)
- Mary Nanderenga Makumbi (Head of Delegation)