Uganda Cricket men’s national team players Juma Miyaji and Gerald Olipa are in Harare, Zimbabwe, to participate in the 2026 National Premier League (NPL) T20 Blast.
The two Cricket Cranes players, Miyaji and Olipa, will feature for Old Hararians and Takashinga Patriots 1 respectively, joining eight young players from four African Associate nations selected for the regional development initiative.
As part of Zimbabwe Cricket’s African Player Initiative, the NPL T20 Blast, Zimbabwe Cricket’s premier club T20 competition, brings together the two Ugandans with players from Nigeria, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
The other invited players are Laksh Snehal Bakrania and Dhrumit Atul Mehta of Tanzania, Ignace Ntirenganya and Oscar Manishimwe of Rwanda, and Elijah Saturday Jimmy and Prosper Buden-Ikpe Useni of Nigeria.
Cricket Uganda President Jackson Kavuma welcomed the initiative and thanked Zimbabwe Cricket for creating the opportunity for the players.
“A big thank you to Zimbabwe Cricket for granting our players this valuable opportunity for playing time and exposure,” Kavuma said.
“We hope they return as better, more improved players, carrying with them the skills, experience, and knowledge gained to share with and inspire their teammates back home.”
President Kavuma noted that the initiative is also significant beyond Uganda, as it strengthens collaboration among African Associate nations.
“This opportunity is an important step in uplifting Africa Cricket Association (ACA) cricket among our member states, and we hope to continue benefiting from such meaningful synergies and partnerships.”
He also recognized Zimbabwe Cricket Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani, Managing Director Givemore Makoni, and General Manager of Cricket Affairs Wonder Chisango for supporting the initiative.
