As part of the preparations for the inaugural U-19 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers due in September in Botswana, the national U-19 girls’ cricket team has started residential training.
The team, coached by Yusuf Nanga planted base at the Kololo Hotel, but trains at the Entebbe Oval.
In camp are 27 players who have at least a month to prove they’re national team material as only 14 will be selected for the Botswana trip.
The U-19 World Cup Qualifiers is a new competition. It is a new creation by the International Cricket Council and Botswana’s competition will be its first edition.
Like other nations involved, this comes as a new challenge for Uganda, but Nanga expects a good showing in Botswana.
“We believe in the girls. They are all hyped up about qualifying for the world cup so we expect the best.”
Nine nations that will be divided into two groups are set to take part in this tourney. Uganda will be in Group B alongside Sierra Leone, Namibia and hosts Botswana
Group A comprises Tanzania, Rwanda, Nigeria, Malawi and Mozambique. The top two teams in each group will advance to the semi-finals, and the eventual winner will qualify for the World Cup that will be hosted in South Africa next year.
Meanwhile, like the girls, the senior men’s team, and the cricket cranes also commenced their training as they ready themselves for the third round of the Challenge League B that will be hosted by Jersey starting August 2 to August 15.
Uganda who hosted the second round of this tournament last month lead their group- Group B with 16 points.
Hot on the heels are both Hong Kong and Jersey who are placed second and third respectively with 15 and 14 points. The same group consists of Italy, Kenya, and Bermuda.
The Challenge League B is a qualifying pathway for the cricket world cup that will be hosted by India in 2023.