West Indies cricket icon Brian Lara ‘The Prince’ jets in the country this morning aboard Rwandair for a day’s visit. The World record-holder both into first class cricket (501*) and Test cricket (400*), will be received by the president of Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA) Charles Haba and senior officials from the ministry of Sports and Culture.

"We are delighted that he is coming. The visit can only yield good results for Rwandan cricket,” said Haba.

During Lara’s nine-hour visit, the West Indian legendary batsman will pay a visit to the Gisozi Genocide Memorial site, Lycee de Kigali, grace an exhibition Twenty20 game between two local select sides followed by a lunch on with the cricket fraternity. And the epitome of his tour will be his meeting with President Paul Kagame and Sports Minister Joseph Habineza.

RCA’s administration officer Robert Mugisha revealed that Rwandair, Computer point, Kiboko tours & travel, Sekanyolya systems, UTEXRWA, Magasin Faruki and MFI are the official sponsors of the Prince’s visit.

Today’s visit is a break-away from his eight-day ambassadorial tour of Uganda, one of Africa’s top cricketing nations. During his time in Uganda, the former West Indies captain imparted with some important playing tips has met national team players and lectured them on how to build an innings and win psychological battles against the opposition.

Rwanda’s cricketers need a similar session since batting appearances to be their major undoing on the international scene, and it doesn’t get better than getting it from one of the greatest batsmen of all-time.

Since 2004, when Rwanda made their debut at the ICC World Cricket League Division 3 tournament, the team has struggled to set good scores let alone chase modest target scores. 

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