Often, Ugandan teams succumb to injuries and struggle to perform on the international scene due to lack of medical personnel on board. Despite taking gold in the men’s marathon, such an incident happened at the Moscow World Athletics Championships where athletes battled muscle strains and other niggles in August.
But for the men’s national cricket team, it’s a different story. The side will be accompanied by South African therapeutic expert Evert Laubscher when they head to the ICC Global Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers in Dubai tomorrow. The specialist in bio-kinetics will help in offering professional warm up and warm down sessions, injury management as dietary requirements for players. “We are grateful to have him around. His presence adds plenty of value to the side,” head coach Johan Rudolph told Kawowo Sports as Laubscher took players through drills during Thursday’s afternoon session at Kyambogo Oval.
Laubscher, a Cricket South Africa Level 3 coaching graduate was also part of the Bangladesh A side during the 2010/11 season. And just like Rudolph, his disciples are too expectant. “His experience is key in lifting our fitness levels and spirits for the big tournament ahead.” said batsman Hamu Kayondo. The Tswana University of Technology coach Laubscher offered some technical support during team Uganda’s Tour to South Africa in September.