Lugogo Cricket Oval was filled with energy and excitement yesterday, April 10, as pupils from various schools across Kampala took part in a lively Mini Cricket Festival.
The event brought together young talents, all eager to display their skills and book places in the upcoming regional competitions set to be held at the same venue.
The competition was played across two age groups — Under-11 and Under-13 — for both boys and girls, creating a platform for participation, learning, and healthy competition.
Mini cricket remains a cornerstone of Uganda’s player development pathway, introducing children to the game while nurturing their growth, confidence, and love for cricket from an early age.
A total of 12 schools each with four teams featured in the festival, underlining the continued growth of grassroots cricket in the district.
In addition to the matches, pupils enjoyed interactive group activities and shared memorable moments, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere.
Speaking at the event, Derrick Bakunzi, Cricket Uganda central coach and Kampala District Mini Cricket Coordinator, highlighted the significance of such tournaments:
Mini cricket competitions are where big champions are born, and dreams are shaped one pitch at a time.
As Cricket Uganda, we encourage more primary schools to come on board so that we can continue building these dreams together.
The festival went beyond competition, serving as a celebration of community, participation, and the promising future of cricket in Uganda.
With Kampala’s young cricketers now turning their focus to the regional stage in Jinja, the event once again demonstrated the impact of grassroots initiatives in shaping future stars.
Uganda has seen several players rise through the mini cricket system, including Aziz Tandia, Fahad Mutagana, Simon Ssesazi, and Henry Ssenyondo highlighting the program’s long-term success.
Unlike other districts, Kampala qualifies two schools per category.
The teams that secured qualification are:
Under-11 Boys
- Shree Sahajanda Uganda
- Delhi Public School
Under-11 Girls
- Budo Junior
- Kyengera Modern
Under-13 Boys
- Shree Sahajanda Uganda
- Shree Sahajanda International
Under-13 Girls
- Budo Junior
- East Kololo