Uganda will be hoping to defend the ICC under 19 girls cricket tournament that kicks off on Monday 5th December in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania. A team of fourteen young ladies, captained by Rebecca Mirembe was flagged off Saturday morning by Uganda Cricket Association CEO, Justine Ligyalinji at the National council of Sports Lugogo. Uganda will be facing off with five other countries including hosts Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, plus Botswana and Mozambique who are both making their maiden appearances at the competition.
Last years final saw Uganda beat nemesis Tanzania in a low scoring but scintillating final where Tanzania put on 57 all out. Uganda put on a brave chase but pressure kept mounting as the wickets kept tumbling. With the match tied at 57 aside with a ball to go, Uganda could have technically won the game because they had lost fewer wickets than Tanzania at the time but up stepped Irene Katusiime to score two runs that sealed the win at 59 runs. Uganda won by three wickets and many could swear Irene almost fainted as the final ball pressure and excitement got to her.
The girls,many of whom are selected from cricket playing schools allover the country have had a few days to train together as much of their training is done at school but head coach Raymond Otim remains upbeat about the task at hand.
“We have played many of our opponents before and know them pretty well. The problem will be how to deal with Botswana and Mozambique who are new but we have prepared well and hope to defend the trophy” said Raymond Otim. The tournament comes to an end on December 12th, giving ample time to some of the girls to come home and take part in the ICC T20 tournament back home in Kampala.