The Brief:
What: Men’s Water Falls T20 League
When: January 26-29
Where: Lugogo Cricket Oval
Who: Sipi Trekkers, Itanda Kayakers and Bujagali Rafters
The Uganda Cricket fraternity is braced for four epic days of high quality T20 Cricket after the launch of the Water Falls T20 Men’s edition at Lugogo Cricket Oval.
The three-team tournament follows the conclusion of the Women edition that climaxed on Sunday.
As the Women’s edition, the teams carry names of Waterfalls – Bujagali Rafters, Sipi Trekkers and Itanda Kaykers.
Launched on Wednesday, the tourney will bowl off on Thursday before Sunday’s final.
The three teams face off twice with the top two after the round robin vie for bragging rights on Sunday at Lugogo Cricket Oval.
Grace Mutyagaba of Uganda Cricket Association commended the sponsors on board including Plason Paints, Batball Uganda and Roke telcom.
Martin Ondeko, the Chief Operations Officer at Batball, commented: “This is a huge tournament and we are excited to be part. At Batball, we identify, develop and promote talent and we believe that a tournament like this will widen a player pool.”
“We are always delighted to be involved in any event that will ensure Cricket grows in this country.”
Bathall will provide Uniforms and also help in streaming of the games live.
“Platform of the higher performance program”
Davis Karashani, the tournament director, says that they want the this to be the best franchise league in a few years time.
“This is an elite tournament, we wanted to put together the best players in the country.”
The tournament has attracted a couple of players from outside Countries including Malawi, Rwanda and Botswana.
“We want to build relationships with other associations around Africa, we also sent out invites to some players in Kenya, Nepal etc.”
“This is a platform of the higher performance program where by we felt we needed to organise a set up thet is better than the National League but slightly lower than what they normally find at the National team engagements.”
“It’s also an event where we are cognizant of the development structures.”
One of the regulations of the tournament is that every team must take to the field with at least one under-19 player.
Karashani explains: “We are trying to provide this particular elite environment also to the junior players for them to understand what is expected of them.”
On what is at stake, he stated: “No cash prizes but bragging rights are at stake, A lot to gain for the players in terms of preparing themselves for international engagements.”
Sunday will have a celebrity game where fans will get an opportunity to take to the field and participate before the final.
Karashani said that they intend to have eye catching activations so that they improve on the fans experience.
On the foreseeable future, he commented: “We are hoping that this tournament can organically grow, we have put in a lot of work, time and money, but after last week’s tournament for the Ladies, we have received many expressions of interests from other partners to get involved going forward.”
“We can have it twice a year may be for the start, and I want this to become one of the best franchise tournaments on the continent.”
Brian Masaba Buoyant
Cricket Cranes captain Brian Masaba will be the captain for Bujagali Rafters and he is confident that his side will upset the odds despite being branded as the under dogs.
“My team is a blend of experience and youth. I have many youngsters, people have called us the underdogs but that is good for us. I am excited to work with them and I believe they can surprise a lot of people.”
Roger Mukasa is on top of the order while the exciting Cyrus Kakuru (Wicket Keeper), Juma Miyagi, Calvin Watuwa and Henry Ssenyondo are among the players to look out for for the Bujagali side.
“We have been preparing, we practiced for the last three weeks so we are good to go.”
Masaba says that this tournament is good for the National team as they have theT20 World Cup Qualifiers in October.
He added: “Its all about T20 Cricket this year and tournaments like these help players get more playing time but more importantly for me is the exposure thing, the games are televised, if you show what you can do here, there are lots of opportunities and other leagues can come calling.”
Word From Other Partners:
*Daniel Kayongo (Plascon) – We are very excited to continue this journey with Uganda Cricket. We have seen a lot of growth both as a sponsor and our relationship with the association since we decided to come on board. The performances of our national teams have been excellent and we have seen talent raising up. This is an opportunity for so many players and also take on new challenges in the region. We would like to encourage all fans to come and join us for this exciting event.
*Amanya Atuhaire (Roke Telecom) – We are a Ugandan owned Internet provider. We are very enthusiastic with things that improve our lives, and that’s why we are happy to be part of this tournament. We had the ladies tournament that ended successfully and this one is going to better. I sense good trouble for the National team coaches because they will have a big pool of talented players to work with after this tournament.
The Team Sheets
Sipi Trekkers – Simon Ssesazi, Orchide Tuyisenge, Sohail Sami, Kenneth Waiswa (captain), Brighton Muganzi, Robert Arjuna, Frank Nsubuga, Fahad Mutagana, David Wabwire, Blessing Pondani, Jonathan Nyiiro, Brian Asaba, Kevin Irakoze
Staff – Frank Nsubuga (Coach), Abu Manyanja (Manager)
Itanda Kayakers – Ronald Lutaya, Donex Kasonkho, Alpeshi Ramjani, Riazat Ali Shah (Captain), Pascal Murungi, Steven Wabwose, Anas Baig, Joseph Baguma, Harsh Panchal, Bilal Hassan, Ignace Entirenganya, Innocent Mwebaze, Jonathan Ssebanja
Staff – Yusuf Nanga (Coach), Akbar Baig (Manager)
Bujagali Rafters – Rogers Mukasa, Karabo Motlhanka, Ivan Baidhu, Cyrus Kakuru, Juma Miyagi, Brian Masaba (Captain), Ismail Munir, Calvin Watuwa, Siraje Nsubuga, Pius Oloka, Peter Ocen, Henry Ssenyondo, Robinson Obuya
Staff – Jackson Ogwang (Coach), Arnold Byarugaba (Manager)
Fixture
Thursday
*Sipi Trekkers Vs Itanda Kaykers – 9:30am
*Bujagali Rafters Vs Sipi Trekkers – 2pm
Friday
*Itanda Kayakers Vs Bujagali Rafters – 9:30am
*Sipi Trekkers Vs Itanda Kayakers – 2pm
Saturday
*Bujagali Rafters Vs Sipi Trekkers – 9:30am
*Bujagali Rafters Vs Itanda Kaykers – 2pm
Sunday
*Celebrity match
*Final
