Rwanda international cricket stadium foundation general manager Eric Dusingizimana has said the stadium will be ready for use by January 2017, although full completion of the entire project is expected in early 2018.

The construction of the Rwf950.2 million international cricket stadium in Gahanga sector, Kicukiro district, started early last month.

When the first phase which involves clearing the land, leveling it and planting grass is done, players will start using the pitch, according to Dusingizimana, who is also the national cricket team captain.

"We are almost done with the first phase of clearing, and planting grass…. when the field is done, teams will start to use it as work on the entire stadium continues,” Dusingizimana told Times Sport.

He also noted that once completed, the stadium will increase the level of cricket awareness in Rwanda.

Cricket is one of the most progressive sports in Rwanda. The sport has grown and has become popular throughout the country especially in schools.

Therefore the availability of more sporting facilities will present a decent atmosphere that will attract more youngsters to the ‘gentleman’s game’.

For the last 15 years, over 10,000 Rwandans of all ages and categories have been introduced to the game.

So far $600,000 has been mobilized for the first phase of the construction, but the entire project is expected to cost $1.2 million (about Rwf950.2 million).

While on a trip to England recently, Dusingizimana was invited to a fundraising dinner where £120,000 (about Rwf140 million) was raised towards building the first cricket stadium in Rwanda.

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