The Uganda Cricket Association, on Thursday, June 13, 2024, launched the annual Boys Cricket Week Tournament, 2024. The eagerly anticipated event scheduled from August 24 to 31, 2024, shall be hosted by Jinja at Jinja Secondary School in Jinja city.
Organized at the “might school” (Jinja SS) in the morning, the launch attracted several dignitaries, including development officers from different regions, cricket coaches, and players (representatives) from different schools.
Serving as the third year event, the tournament will bring together the best cricket-playuing secondary schools from six different regions, including Eastern, Central, Northern, Western, and West Nile, among others.
Organized by the East Enders Sports Hub with UCA as administrators, the tournament kicks off with a qualification round that will feature 53 boys’ schools from different sports hubs in Uganda. 18 schools will compete for the title at the finals.
According to organizers, the games will be played at six different venues in Jinja, including Jinja SSS as the main oval, Jinja college with two venues, Busoga College Mwiri, Kakira SS and Kiira primary school.
The East Enders chief, Mr Isaac Imaka, expresses readiness and high geared preparations of the tournament. He says everything is in place to facilitate the effectiveness of the event.
“We are thrilled to host the annual boys’ schools tournament this year. This edition of the boy’s schools cricket week has come at the perfect time when young cricketers in Uganda have been inspired byb the senior men’s team at the T20 World Cup in West Indies,” said Mr Imaka.
He stated that the inspiration gives them a chance to showcase their talent in the hope that they can grow into national assets that will represent Uganda at bigger tournaments.
“This opportunity also gives Jinja a chance to sell itself as a sports tourism destination. Therefore, we call upon sports lovers to come and witness the talent that will be showcased by the boys coming from all over the country,” he added.
Davis Turinawe, the development manager Uganda Cricket, commended the growing number of schools participating in this year’s tournament. He said the move will go a long way in increasing the talent poll of representative teams and the future of Uganda players.
“We anticipate an interesting brand of cricket from various schools as we look forward to a thrilling tournament,” Turinawe said.
Jinja SSS remains the defending champions of the large-scale tournament, but Mr Cymprous Igulu, the coach of Good Heart Secondary schools, is confident that his team will be declared the winner of the tournament.
“The two-year experience I have in coaching cricket is enough for me to take this tournament. My boys are ready to display the talent, and I believe we shall register a success,” Mr Igulu told Busoga Today.
