Uganda U-17 emerge victors

THE Uganda under-17 cricket team won all the friendly matches played against their Rwandan counterparts over the weekend at Kicukiro cricket ground.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013
The U-17 boys team coach giving technical tips to his youthful squad. The New Times / Courtesy.

THE Uganda under-17 cricket team won all the friendly matches played against their Rwandan counterparts over the weekend at Kicukiro cricket ground.Over the weekend, Rwanda Cricket Association, RCA hosted the Uganda U17 team for a series of friendly games at Kicukiro cricket ground against Rwanda U17 boy’s team and a Rwanda XI side. The visitors played and won all their 5 games. On Friday, Uganda U17 161/5 in 20 overs beat Rwanda U17 71 all out in 17 overs and efforts of overturning the result were futile as Uganda 140/8 in 20 overs beat Rwanda 42 all out in 16.4 overs on Saturday morning before repeating the same feat in the afternoon where Uganda 106/5 in 15 overs beat Rwanda 80/4 in 15 overs.On Sunday, Uganda 131/7 in 20 overs beat Rwanda XI 112 all out in 20 overs in the morning and  Rwanda XI 129/9 in 20 overs lost to Uganda U17 130/6 in 19 overs  in the afternoon respectively.The Ugandan coach Habib Mugalula said, "The games were so competitive and I am happy that my boys displayed good performances to win all the games.”"Although the Rwandan teams lost, I am so impressed by their enthusiasm and the competitive spirit of the players,” Mugalula added.The RCA general manager Joshua Mwanja said, "In a move to improve our game, RCA has partnered with Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) to play at least four games every year with the national women & men teams, U19 and U17 teams.”"From these games our players shall be exposed to better opposition that will in turn improve them,” added Mwanja.Rwanda used the matches to prepare the national U-17 team ahead of the regional youth tournament expected for December.