RWANDA is one of the twenty-one countries that will witness the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup Trophy during its global tour ahead of the 2019 Cricket World Cup will take place in England and Wales from May 30 to July 14.

The 11kgs trophy will be welcomed to Rwanda on February 10, 2019, from Kenya.

The trophy, which started its journey from ICC headquarters in Dubai on Monday, will cross five continents, 21 countries and over 60 cities.

For the cricket fans in Rwanda, this will be an opportunity to witness the ICC trophy.

According to Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA) President, Eddie Balaba Mugarura, the rare opportunity to welcome the trophy will raise more awareness about the sport in the country.

"Rwandans will get know more about the Cricket World Cup, but most importantly about the existence of cricket in the country. It means a lot,” Mugarura said. 

The tour will give millions of people around the world an opportunity to taste the feeling of the world’s largest and most anticipated cricket event.

RCA General Manager, Emmanuel Byiringiro, believes that being chosen among the only four Africa countries to host the World Cup Trophy is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the most iconic symbol in cricket and share their passion for the game.

"We are ready to welcome the trophy,” said Byiringiro, adding that it shows the confidence that ICC has in Rwandan Cricket and its steady growth trajectory.

During the nine-month journey, the Trophy tour will travel not only to countries taking part in the tournament, but for the first time ever will go beyond traditional cricket heartlands and connect with fans in a further 11 countries where cricket is rapidly growing, including Rwanda.

From the United Arab Emirates, the trophy headed Oman and will connect with USA, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and German before arriving in England and Wales on 19 February 2019 for a 100-day domestic Trophy Tour.  

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