Rwanda’s leading telecommunications provider MTN and Electrogaz are the latest corporate companies to join the national cricket team sponsors queue.

The national team is preparing for the ICC World Cricket League Division 3/ICC World Cup Qualifiers scheduled for April 12-18 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

MTN offered Frw1.5m and Electrogaz added Frw 0.4m to join the sponsorship list which also includes the ministry of sports and culture, Rwandair Express and Rwanda Development Bank (BRD).

After handing over the cheque to Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA)’s head Charles Haba, MTN’s Public Relations Officer Bosco Sendahangarwa said that the telecommunications company was glad to associate with cricket.

"We have always supported cricket and we will continue doing so in the spirit of promoting and developing the sport,” he acknowledged.

Meanwhile, the Ugandan select side jetted in yesterday ahead of today’s twenty20 game and tomorrow’s 50-over game against the Rwandan cricket team. The Ugandan contingent is headed by William Kamanyi, one of the masterminds behind Rwandan cricket.

Ahead of today’s twenty20 game at Kicukiro oval, the national team captain Srinath Vardhineni said that the team was looking forward to a good performance to boost its confidence ahead of the ICC tournament.

"How well we perform against the Ugandans will have a huge bearing on how we shall play in South Africa,” Vardhineni noted.

This year, Rwanda will be chasing for a third appearance after competing in the 2004 and 2006 ICC World Cricket League editions.

In 2004, Rwanda finished 7th while in 2006, the team finished 6th.

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