Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA) and the Ministry of Sports and Culture have partnered to construct a new cricket ground at the University of Rwanda- College of education (UR-CE), Rukara Campus in Kayonza district, Eastern Province.

Speaking during the official groundbreaking ceremony at the college campus over the weekend, RCA president, Charles Haba said: "We shall sponsor the construction and already we have the funds for the project.

Construction will start next month.”

"This is part of our grand agenda to promote the cricket in the country, so when finalized, a stadium will be used by not only the college but schools around Kayonza. One of the biggest challenges we are facing in promoting the sport, is the lack of infrastructure.”

Haba noted that the aim is to develop basic cricket infrastructure, adding that the construction works on the state of the art Gahanga Cricket Complex will start next month.

The UR-College of Education has a cricket team, and Dr Charles Gahima the Principal says, constructing the pitch at the campus will encourage more students to engage in the sport.

He noted: "Once completed, the field will provide a place for the students and college team to train, for school children around to be coached and for people, who have never seen the game before, to get a chance to see.”

Present during the groundbreaking ceremony, was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Lt. Col. Patrice Rugambwa, who said, "Government provided the land, and RCA will sponsor the construction. It is a partnership to develop infrastructure.”

"If the sport is to develop, we need to put up the infrastructure, which is one of the biggest challenges. However; this is part of the government vision to develop sports.”

As a part of the day’s activities, hosts Rukara cricket team played a friendly game with the Abakambwe (veterans) team, which the latter won.

Construction of cricket ground will to cost an estimated Rwf40million. The Rukara ground will supplement the existing Kicukiro oval.

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