The eagerly awaited UCA Women’s National League 2024 is set to kick off on June 29, 2024, promising a season filled with thrills and competition. After a dominant display in 2023 by Soroti Cricket Academy’s teams, Soroti City Cricket Club emerged as champions, with Olila High School securing the runner-up position.
This year, the league has expanded to nine teams from the previous seven. New entrants include Jinja Association of Cricket Clubs (JACC), Africa Cricket Club (ACC), and Tornado Cricket Club, adding fresh excitement to the competition. ACC will notably field a development side, predominantly comprising players from schools affiliated with the Mukono Cricket Community, with a sprinkling of senior national team players to mentor the young squad.
In a departure from last year’s format, the teams are now divided into two groups, A and B. Group A includes Soroti City CC, Jinja SS, JACC, ACC, and Tornado Bee, while Group B comprises Olila CC, Wanderers CC, Pioneer CC, and Tornado CC. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, leading up to the final showdown on August 10 to determine this year’s champions.
A significant change this season is the restriction on the number of national team players per club. Each team can field a maximum of three players from the contracted national squad, a decision that has sparked debate among club owners due to its financial implications for affected players.
The league’s opening day on June 29 will feature three exciting matches: Wanderers CC versus Pioneer CC at Entebbe Cricket Oval, Soroti City CC against Jinja SS CC at Jinja SS Cricket Oval, and ACC’s debut match against Tornado Bee at Buddo Oval.
With a blend of emerging talent and seasoned players, the 2024 season promises to be a captivating chapter in Ugandan women’s cricket, setting the stage for intense competition and sporting excellence.
