By Denis Musali
Uganda has been drawn alongside test nations India, South Africa, and Ireland at the U-19 World Cup in the West Indies next year. Uganda qualified for the event as winners of the Africa regional qualifiers in October this year.
Uganda will be making its third appearance at the junior global showpiece after featuring at the 2004 and 2006 editions in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka respectively. The Caribbean edition of the World Cup will run from Jan 3rd to Feb 4th, 2022. The baby cricket cranes will play India and South Africa in Trinidad and Tobago while the game against Ireland will be played in Guyana.
Uganda played against South Africa and Ireland in the previous editions but this will be the 1st time for Uganda to face off with India, this particular match will be available for viewers across the world on TV.
A group of 25 players has been called up by the technical team to start preparations for the build-up tour to India scheduled for Nov 19th - Dec 9th. The team will visit Sanjay Farm from 19th to 25th November, with the hosts organizing a specialist batting coach from the West Indies for the youngsters, they will switch base to Omtex ICWC academy from Nov 26th to Dec 9th before returning back home.
Martin Ondeko CEO of Uganda Cricket Association had this to say about the World Cup Schedule and team preparations
We got a tough group but none of the other groups is easy as well, we havent been at this stage for the last 16 years but we want to leave a positive mark on the tournament and also gain some exeperience. The preparations for the team are already underway and we hope to be in the best shape before we travel to West Indies.
To ensure that the team adequetly prepares we need alot of resources to do so therefore we are looking for partners to help us take this team to the World Cup in the best possible shape.
Team Uganda is expected to be in the West Indies by January 3rd will have two days of quarantine before taking on Sri Lanka in their 1st warm-up game. Uganda will start their World Cup campaign against Ireland, followed by South Africa, and then play India in their final group game.
Uganda U-19 World Cup Fixtures:
Uganda U-19 v Ireland U-19 - 15/01/2022
Uganda U-19 v SouthAfrica U-19 - 18/01/2022
Uganda U-19 v India U-19 -22/01/2022
