LycaMobile, the official sponsor of Uganda’s national senior men’s cricket team, celebrated the return of the Cricket Cranes with a heroic welcome following their historic debut at the ICC T20 World Cup. This milestone marks Uganda’s first appearance at the World Cup since attaining ICC Associate Member status in 1998.
The Cricket Cranes’ journey to the World Cup began with their participation in the 2001 ICC Trophy in Canada, leading to their historic qualification after a stellar performance in Windhoek, Namibia, last November. During the T20 World Cup, Uganda captivated audiences with their vibrancy and camaraderie both on and off the pitch, highlighted by their first World Cup victory – a three-wicket win over Papua New Guinea.
LycaMobile Uganda’s Marketing Director, Vikram Lal, lauded the team, stating, “This is a team of national heroes, and we had to honour them with a heroic welcome. The bus-top ride from the airport through town is a small gesture of appreciation and recognition of their efforts at the biggest T20 tournament in the world.”
Lal further emphasized the historic nature of Uganda’s achievement: “Many teams play cricket – over 200. Imagine a small cricketing nation like Uganda was one of the 20 anthems sung more than once at the World Cup. Many teams have gone to the World Cup but have never won a match in five editions. Uganda did it on their first try. This is historic, and it’s the reason we celebrate them.”
The team’s celebratory journey included a four-day trip with stopovers in Bridgetown, Barbados, and London, England. In London, they were hosted by the LycaMobile United Kingdom office and given a tour of the historic city. Their final transit was in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where they relaxed at the JW Marriott.
Uganda’s historic performance at the ICC T20 World Cup has not only placed the Cricket Cranes in the spotlight but also underscored the growing potential of cricket in Uganda. As the team returns home, they are celebrated as national heroes, with hopes of building on this success in future international competitions.
