Omtex ICWC Institute to become Cricket Uganda’s premier development and pathways hub.

As the Cricket Cranes and Victoria Pearls look to dominate on the field during their historic Mumbai Tour, Cricket Uganda officials are laying the foundation for long-term growth through strategic high-performance partnerships with Omtex ICWC Cricket Institute and the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).

While the Cricket Cranes have spent the last week punching above their weight against Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) Colts XI on the field during a dominant 4-0 sweep in the 50-over series, another equally important mission has quietly been unfolding away from the spotlight.

Inside boardrooms, training facilities and high-performance centres across Mumbai, Cricket Uganda officials have been laying foundations they hope will shape Ugandan cricket for years to come.

Driven by Detail. Coach Tikolo and HPP Head Okia chat with Omtex Director Vijay during the facilities inspection tour in Saphale. PHOTOS/INNOCENT NDAWULA

Led by Cricket Uganda chairman Jackson Kavuma, the Ugandan delegation including Head of High Performance & Pathways Richard Okia, national team coach Steve Tikolo and Team Manager Charles Waiswa have used the historic Mumbai Tour not only as a playing assignment but as an opportunity to deepen international partnerships aimed at accelerating cricket development back home.

One of the most significant stops came at the Omtex I Can We Can (ICWC) Cricket Institute in Saphale, Mumbai – a facility that has maintained close ties with Ugandan cricket over recent years.

Growing together

Between match days, the Cricket Uganda delegation made the one-hour trip from the team’s residence at Reyansh Pride in Boisar to the expanding Omtex Institute for extensive discussions around strengthening Uganda’s high-performance systems from grassroots to senior national teams.

The meeting attended by Omtex ICWC Institute Founder and President Pravin Raut alongside directors Vijay Patel and Rajesh Mahtre focused on several areas of collaboration including player development, rehabilitation programmes, coaching education, grounds management, technical support, sports science and equipment assistance.

For Raut, Uganda’s cricket rise represents an opportunity to help shape a growing cricket nation through modern scientific approaches to the game.

“You have the talent and skills but we want to add the scientific block onto your programmes,” Raut said. “That is how cricket is played all over the world now. It is data-driven and we believe as Omtex we can be of value in that way and help you become a better cricketing nation.”

Elite Environment. Cricket Uganda officials toured Omtex’s state-of-the-art indoor nets, rehabilitation centre, recovery pool and specialised training facilities alongside with founder Raut and directors Vijay and Mahatre. PHOTO/COURTESY

Shared vision

Okia believes the relationship could transform several departments within Uganda’s cricket structures beyond just elite player development.

“We have a lot of resource in terms of personnel and volunteers and we want Omtex to be our one-go-to centre in terms of building our players and non-playing staff,” Okia explained.

“Right from the groundsmen learning how to prepare different types of wickets to our physiotherapists attending sessions here and staying in sync with the experts here so that rehabilitation programmes of our athletes align well with our coaches in the national set-up. There is so much for us to benefit from here.”

Uganda’s delegation toured the rapidly expanding facility which now includes at least 12 different wicket surfaces, modern indoor practice facilities, player accommodation, rehabilitation areas, an 8-seater ice-bath and swimming pool for recovery, physiotherapy rooms, massage facilities, a specialised cafeteria and newly developed executive accommodation for visiting franchise teams and coaching staff.

For coach Tikolo, the importance of exposing Ugandan players and coaches to such professional environments cannot be overstated.

“As a national team coach, it is things like this that I love to see in the set-up,” Tikolo said.

“Programmes like this not only motivate players but also coaches to work more. The presence of facilities is a driving factor and I am glad that Cricket Uganda is willing to make good use of the Omtex Institute.”

Usual Things. The Omtex ICWC Institute is always a bee-hive of activity with several youngster taking lessons from reputable senior players and legends of the game from across the world.

Family bonds

The relationship between Uganda and Omtex stretches back several years with Uganda becoming one of the first international cricket programmes to engage with the institute in 2020 during its formative stages.

That history has created a strong emotional connection between both parties.

“Uganda were the first country to visit Omtex when we opened up and we look at you as our own,” Omtex Director Patel said.

“You’re always welcome here and we are always willing to help Uganda because we see you as our own. Your progress especially when the Cricket Cranes played at the World Cup in 2024 is also our joy and we value the partnership because we are also growing with you.”

Chairman Kavuma acknowledged the institute’s unwavering support towards Ugandan cricket while promising that Cricket Uganda would now seek to formalise more concrete programmes through the partnership.

“You have never said no and it is something I don’t take for granted,” Kavuma said.

“Sometimes I fear to ask because I know you will not say no and I don’t want you to look at us as people who are always looking to only benefit from you. This kindness and willingness to help us humbles me. As Cricket Uganda we are forever grateful.”

“Our Head of High Performance Okia is here and I am going to task him to come up with programmes, plans and proposals to present to you so that work can start immediately.”

Beyond results

The off-field engagements come at a significant moment for Ugandan cricket.

Before this month ends, Cricket Uganda and the MCA are expected to formally sign a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focused on player pathways, coaching development, women’s cricket and international exposure opportunities.

Combined with Uganda’s strong performances on the field, the Mumbai Tour is increasingly becoming about much more than victories. It is about building relationships, creating opportunities and positioning Ugandan cricket within stronger global development networks that can sustain long-term growth.

Growing By The Day. The Cricket Cranes toured the new facilities at the Omtex ICWC Cricket Institute that include two sets of new all-weather outside nets, a swimming pool and an 8-seater ice-bath box in Saphale.

On the team’s final practice day – May 28, the senior national men’s team – The Cricket Cranes – also had a full day training session at the Omtex ICWC Institute in Saphale, Palghar District to fine tune for their last two T20 fixtures against the MCA Colts XI and Suryakumar Yadav’s Mumbai Knights on May 29 and May 30 respectively.

For the Cricket Cranes, the runs and wickets may dominate headlines today. But years from now, these meetings and partnerships may ultimately prove even more valuable.

The primary goal for this latest meeting and discussions that were certainly fruitful is for Omtex ICWC Institute to become Cricket Uganda’s premier development and pathways hub.