Outgoing CEO Martin Ondeko says that he is leaving Uganda Cricket Association with a sense of accomplishment.
Ondeko, last month, announced that he will be leaving UCA at the end of March after the expiry of his contract.
This will mark an end to his three-year tenure for Ondeko as CEO since he was appointed to the role in June 2018.
“We have improved governance, professionalised the national teams, excelled at the international level, grown our ICC Income, grown playing and participation numbers,” stated Ondeko.
Ondeko, a former National team player who featured as a right hand batsman, joined Uganda Cricket Association about 14 years ago and has served as an Operations manager before he replaced Justin Ligyalingi as CEO.
Highlighting some of the challenges he has faced during his tenure, Ondeko stated: “Inadequate playing and training facilities, Covid19 situation that disrupted activities, inadequate funds to run our activities.”
He also leaves the Sport still struggling to attract fans and sponsorship, Unlike Football.
He added: “Cricket is a growing sport. We are currently concentrating on building our profile and image, having in place exciting and properly planted events. This will attract more fans and in turn bring on board more sponsors.”
On what next for Ondeko, he said that “I will remain a cricket fan and help grow the game in any way I can.”
Under his stewardship, Uganda returned to U19 World Cup among other achievements.
Many still believe that Ondeko was pushed out, claims he has since refuted: “My contract has come to an end. Having been at UCA for 13 years, I felt it was time for someone else with fresh ideas to move the game forward.”
Did You Know? – Martin Ondeko represented Uganda at the 2004 U19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh, and his 99 not out off 148 balls tally is yet to be broken by a Ugandan!
