Monday, November 11th November 2013
By Innocent Ndawula
National cricket players Hamu Kayondo (L), Charles Waiswa (M) and Patrick Ochan (R) drag their bags to the team bus before heading to Entebbe Airport yesterday. Photo by Eddie Chicco.
IN SUMMARY
Uganda will shake off jet lag with warm-up matches against Papua New Guinea on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi and Afghanistan in Sharjah on Wednesday.
Richard Mwami, the Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) chairman, wasn’t the most fluent of batsmen during his heyday as a national team player. But one must add, the former top order batsman did deliver the goods more often than not with his favourite ‘scoop’ shot.
Mwami, though, is a gifted motivational speaker and orator. After all they say ‘God doesn’t give you all’.
As the senior national cricket team departed for United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the global International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 Qualifier yesterday, Mwami delivered a six-minute speech that left the 20-man contingent, the players more especially, reflecting and thinking deeply.
“I just came from church now,” started the former right hand batsman, who was flanked by his wife Brenda Mwami. “My beautiful wife stood at the pulpit in-front of the congregation and dedicated a prayer to this team. She said, ‘I know my husband loves cricket so much and I know the national team is going to play a tournament in UAE. May the good Lord ensure goodness is on their side throughout.”
Before Mwami staked $20,000 (an estimated Shs50m) for the team if they finish among the top six and secure a spot to Bangladesh for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup in February 2014, he also had some tough words.
“Treat this as a job. It is a well paying job and if you play well and something comes in our account, we shall make your accounts happier,” said the UCA boss to the applause of the players, who were enjoying a farewell breakfast at the National Council of Sports (NCS) hostel.
“We are not saying that you should win the tournament, but we want you to focus and give the effort 110 per cent. We believe you guys can finish in the top six out of 16 countries. Remember you have been chosen to represent more than 35 million people. ” Team captain Davis Karashani assured the UCA board that the team was ready for the looming challenge.
Travelling Contingent:
Karashani (cpt), Frank Nsubuga (vice captain), Roger Mukasa, Arthur Kyobe, Philemon Selowa Mukobe, Abraham Mutyagaba, Hamu Kayondo, Charles Waiswa, Patrick Ochan, Jonathan Ssebanja, Henry Ssenyondo, Richard Okia, Hamza Saleh, Raymond Otim, Brian Masaba.
Head coach: Johan Rudolph, Assistant: Henry Okecho,
Physiotherapist: Evert Laubscher
Team manager: Andrew Othieno
Head of mission: Justine Ligyalingi
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