RCA set to start cricket academy in February 2017

In a bid to nurture talented cricketers in the country, Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA) is set to start a cricket academy in February next year. The implementation process has already begun and the training is expected to begin early February 2017 with 30 players (15 boys and 15 girls). The project is being undertaken in partnership with Workforce Development Authority (WDA) and the Ministry of Sports and Culture (Minispoc). Under the programme, beneficiaries will undergo comprehensive training for three years at Kicukiro Cricket oval. “We have all the equipment needed to run the academy; we have the ground, practicing nets, balls and many others,” RCA Vice president Srinath Vardhinen said. Bridget Uwineza, the RCA general manager noted that setting up an academy presents an opportunity to do more than just impart cricket skills. “It will help us create an organised and safe environment to nurture the social and moral values of young people in the sport.” She pointed out that Rwandan cricketers must begin playing professional cricket beyond the boundaries of Rwanda and that can only come from nurturing them in an organized system. National cricket team captain Eric Dusingizimana said that the academy will add momentum to the drive of making Rwanda the vanguard of cricket in the region. “We struggled to learn cricket, because we didn’t have such a chance, but now is the time for our younger compatriots to learn the game, this is a great initiative towards cricket talent identification and development in Rwanda,” he noted. Cricket was introduced in Rwanda in 2000 and the country became an ICC member in 2003. Since then, the sport has steadily grown in the country with now over 10,000 cricket players in the country. Meanwhile, the Indian government has promised to subsidise RCA in their quest for cricket talent development in Rwanda. The national cricket league comprises of 14 cricket clubs (men and women). The national cricket team for both the senior team and the U-19 team also take part in international competitions. editorial@newtimes.co.rw