While Teso Region’s Olila High School basked in the glory of reclaiming the Girls Schools Cricket Week title, having won it previously in 2023, Uganda women’s cricket head coach Deus Muhumuza had more sobering reflections on the future of the game.
The Victoria Pearls head coach, who attended the week-long tournament alongside key national team officials, sounded the alarm over a glaring shortage of left-arm spin bowlers and seamers in the senior setup, a contrast to the wealth of emerging talent spotted during the school-level showcase.
“We have seen good talent here,” Muhumuza said following the final, which saw Olila defeat fellow Soroti-based school and defending champions Light SS by five wickets.
“It’s very surprising and encouraging to see so many under-19s with a great understanding of the game. There are good bowlers, left-hand spinners and seamers, something we are lacking in our system.”
His words, candid and cautionary, exhibited the developmental challenges facing the Victoria Pearls even as the national pipeline appears to be blooming at the grassroots.
Muhumuza was joined in Gulu by assistant coach Brian Masaba, team manager Leliah Namaganda Ondeko and UCA Honorary Secretary Denis Musali.
Muhumuza’s remarks came on the heels of a high-stakes semifinal matchup where perennial contenders Masaka SS saw their unbeaten run ended in brutal fashion, bowing out to eventual champions Olila High School by 10 wickets.
Despite the heavy defeat, Masaka’s and Baby Victoria Pearls’ head coach, Yusuf Nanga, remained optimistic.
“It was tight for us. The girls were emotional, some are crying but that’s part of growth,” Nanga said.
“They played out their 20 overs and scored 58 runs against a strong team with three national players. These are girls in Senior Two and Three. I’m proud of how far they’ve come.”
Masaka SS had earlier swept through Group A, securing a semifinal berth alongside Light SS by overcoming Jinja SS.
Their early tournament dominance, however, was met with the experience and firepower of Olila in the knockout stages.
For Muhumuza, the performances on display in Gulu provided both hope and urgency.
“We’ve seen batters with a good understanding of the game. That’s something we want to encourage and promote. We’re thinking about follow-ups, possibly setting up a camp,” he said.
The Girls’ Schools Cricket Week, traditionally a talent-scouting ground for national selectors, has once again fulfilled its role.
