Cricket team up preps for ICC T20 Div.3 tournament

April 25-29ICC Africa Division 3in Johannesburg, South AfricaRwanda’s opponents April 25 Mali, GambiaApril 26 Cameroon, MoroccoApril 27 ZambiaApril 28 Seychelles, St. HelenaApril 29 FinalIN the cricket world, every achievement you make puts money into your bank account which explains the massive efforts made by every national association to get to the next level and those at the top to maintain the status.It is not any different for the Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA) which has put all their efforts in making sure their hard work pays off if the national team can just finish among the top two at the upcoming ICC Africa Division 3 tournament due April 25-29 in Johannesburg, South Africa.Against Cameroun, Gambia, Mali, Seychelles, St. Helena and Zambia in a round robin tournament, Team Rwanda has to finish top of the table without losing any game or at worst lose one and then the run rate will come into play.Qualifying to be in Division 2 therefore will launch the country’s bid to become an associate member of the world governing body-International Cricket Council, however, it is not the solitary requirement.According to RCA’s general secretary Emma Byiringiro, becoming an associate member does not necessarily mean being in Division 1 but getting to Division 2 and staying there is the main purpose right now.“Developing women’s cricket, increasing girls’ and boys’ participation in schools as well as the men’s national team has been our core objective and for this our funding increased this year,” explained Byiringiro.RCA became an affiliate member of the ICC in 2003 and is yearning to join the likes of Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Scotland, Bermuda, Denmark and Ireland among others as an associate member which comes with benefits like getting Twenty20 status.Of the 36 associate members that have made it to the World Cricket League Division 1 attain One Day International (ODI) status before until the following ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier.Afghanistan also an affiliate member qualified for next year’s ICC T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka after it defeated Ireland in the final earlier this year in March at an event hosted in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates that attracted 20 teams. Provincial Team ListEric Dusingizimana, Audifax Byiringiro, Andre Kayitera, Bob Bashir Songa, Derrick Bayingana, Don de Dieu Mugisha, Eric Hirwa Dusabemungu, Julius Mbaraga, Freddy Ndayisenga, Tito Gakire, Theo Gatera, Desire Manirambona, Eugene Haragirimana, Denis Mukama, Eric Ndangamyambi, Janvier Cyubahiro, Fiston Nsengiyumva, Joseph Tuyishimire, Sairam Gopalani, Evode Mutuyimana, Mihir Bhatt, Mihir Solanki.

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Cricket team up preps for ICC T20 Div.3 tournament