By Denis Musali
Nyakasura is one of the four schools in which cricket was first introduced in Uganda, the missionary school not only adopted the scottish kilt as their uniform but also have had a long tradition of playing cricket.
However, their proximity away from the source in Kampala left them at a disadvantage when it came to developing talent, access to facilities and producing players for national teams.
Nyakasura in the late 90s and early 2000's Nyakasura were the punching bags of many schools and were most definetly content with a trip to Kampala, however this all changed when Ivan Thawithemwira took it upon himself to change this trend. Nyakasura has made it to the semifinals of the school's cricket week for the past 2 years and they are among the favorites this year.
Cricket Uganda caught up with Ivan Thawithemwira to talk about the journey of cricket in Nyakasura and the future plans of the school.
- Take Us Through The History Of Cricket In Nyakasura?
Cricket and Nyakasura are bedfellows, to say the least. The school was established in 1926, and the first game in the school was played in 1929. As a matter of fact, the first ever ball bowled in Uganda was in that year and it was in that game in 1929 at Nyakasura. There was even a time in the school where the, for one to qualify to be head prefect of the school, you had to be the cricket captain!!! From what I learned, Gen. Biraro was the last one to be captain and head prefect.
- During your times how easy or hard was it to measure up with some of the best cricket playing schools?
It was by no means an easy proposition! At times it was even intimidating. We had so many disadvantages stacked against us. To get to the city alone was an achievement in itself! That was before a single ball was bowled! We played, at most, 6 games a year!! To have a coach was akin to Christmas. A fantasy, at best. When Mr. Walusimbi came to school, it was treated like a Papal occasion.
So to face up to Simon Nsubuga, Osinde Henry, Ssempa Richard, what seemed like 200kph cannons, was in a life and death proportions. That was after Benjamin Musoke, Michael Ndiko and the like had been distributing the balls around the park with such abandon we would often end up fighting amongst each other.
- You have been very instrumental in reviving the game in Nyakasura, what was your motivation for doing so?
Precisely for the reasons mentioned above. I felt we could compete if we were dining on a balanced table. Over the course of the years, I often saw some sparks of brilliance from some players in the school, but those sparks needed to be turned into a proper flame. The resources to that effect, are what I found lacking.
I felt we needed to play more than 6 games a year. I felt we needed a regular coach. I felt we needed to polish the gems of talent that were randomly on display in the boys. Nyakasura was a forgotten school. Abandoned even! I felt I could help in a small way.
- What have been some of the pain points in the process of getting cricket back in Nyakasura?
Honestly, I haven’t felt any pain in that sense. The whole experience has been fulfilling and satisfying for me. You have not yet lived if you haven’t yet given. To see a young man, score a 50 or take a blinding catch, or take wickets when he’s 15 years, that will not permit me to feel any pain. Maybe finding kit is still a big hurdle to negotiate. I think it’s the only blight in cricket. It’s such a costly engagement.
- How much support have you gotten from the association and cricket fraternity?
Not much am afraid! Well wishes from a few corners.
- What is the future like for cricket in Nyakasura? How far do you want to see this project go?
Bright!! There’s brilliance in everybody. We just have to dig it up. I would like to see it go as far as it possibly can. Ugandan cricket will be better for it. We shouldn’t be struggling to get good players to feed the National side. The conveyor belt must be oiled and widened. There is another Kenneth Kamyuka hiding somewhere in the corner.
- Since you started coaching in Nyakasura which players have left a mark on you and can go on to play for the national team?
That’s a hard one. I see potential in all those boys. Singling out one or two is a case of parting the Red Sea.
- On the whole how is cricket perceived in the Rwenzori region since mini cricket has been on fire in Kasese?
Cricket in the Rwenzori region is, in my opinion, the rising of a beautiful morning sun, only to be obscured by a dark grey cloud. After mini cricket, am afraid it ends there. There is no follow up at all. For a region to be dominant in mini cricket, in almost all age categories, for so many years, and yet we can’t account for all those children in hard-ball cricket only implies we are merely involved in cosmetic make-up.
- How have you managed to balance your professional career with keeping tabs on the Nyakasura project?
It’s the same way I’ve managed to practice every day and play on Sundays for the past 18 years, I guess. There’s nothing, other than God, I love as much as cricket. If you’re in love, you find ways to fan the flames of love.
- Can share with us some of the milestones you have been able to achieve with the entire group.
I have seen a batsman score 200 runs in our school competition. Twice!! I have seen several batsmen score 50’s on the local league. This is of paramount importance given the playing “straight” to save their own skins was a proposition of visiting the moon on a holiday! I have seen a genuine 16-year-old fast bowler who can threaten the ribcages of men old enough to father him. But most importantly, I have seen a young man who had got buried head-first in the deep and turbulent waters of teenage resurrect and turn those tides into a beautiful wave. I’ve seen young men walk in public with their heads raised high, not afraid or intimidated by the demons of yester-year.
- On lighter note can you share with us some of the best moments of playing cricket in Nyakasura.
Incidentally, this happened in a game against Mwiri. One of my teammates, on seeing Kamyuka pawing the end of his run-up, and he was walking in at one drop, panicked and shook so much that he ended up taking off his shoes and batting bare-footed! He said the shoes were going to be an impediment to his survival.
Later that evening, while we were residing at Makerere College, we went out to Wandegeya to pick up a snack or two. On asking for the menu, the certain guy that was told there were Hot dogs! He didn’t need a second warning. He stormed out of the restaurant at such speed Usain Bolt’s credentials were at risk! On catching up with him, he said he and dogs were not made for each other! You can imagine how much trouble we had explaining to him what hot dogs were!