A dream Felix Musana had a decade ago has unhurriedly unfolded into reality. From just 4 girls to 1000 is the highlight that could attract one’s eye towards Soroti Cricket Academy.
However, there is much more to this when you see the number of girls on the Uganda Women Cricket National team (Victoria Pearls) coming from Soroti.
Growth comes in a couple of ways but celebrating it is one action to acknowledge that you are not where you used to be and this comes with sleep-sipping efforts.
Therefore Soroti Cricket Academy (SCA) just like any other institution celebrated their players who pumped them and the sport to different victories throughout the year.
While giving out the different awards it was so important to note that Soroti City, Olila Cricket Club Female teams and Schools Programme were appreciated differently.
The reason behind this is that Soroti Cricket Academy has two teams (Soroti City and Olila Cricket Club) playing in the Women League and one in Soroti City playing the Men’s League.
Victoria Pearls Captain Janet Mbabazi took home the Soroti City Female Player of the Year Award after her performances in the League with Sarah Akiteng taking home Olila Cricket Club Female Player of the Year.
However Peter Ocen on the men’s side secured the accolade of Soroti City Male Player of the Year
The young spinner Lorna Anyait from Olila High School was later named Girls School Program Player of the Year with Tino Sarah (Light SSS) clinching Best Fielder Girls School Program
Other winners on the day included:
- Josephine Ichumar (Olila High School) – Young Player of the Year Girls School Program
- Malisa Ariokot (Olila High School) – Best Batter Girls School Program
- Ariago Mitchell (Light SSS) – Best Bowler Girls School Program
- Gideon Outeke (Teso College Aloet) – Player of the Year Boys School Program
- Kiribaki Deo (Teso College Aloet) – Young Player of the Year Boys School Program
- Osakan Christopher (Soroti SS) – Best Fielder Boys School Program
- Abdulai Yusuf (Soroti SSS) – Best Bowler Boys School Program
- Ainebyona Alban (Kiira College Butiki) – Best Batter Boys School Program
After the dinne, Academy founder Felix Musana came out to indicate that reaching a decade has been a tough journey.
“The first three, four years were about personal sacrifice but later in the journey when you start getting results, people start knocking at your door.
“So, I am happy later in the journey Uganda Cricket Association has come in and started giving us some substantial support that has helped us run our programs just like some other partners who provide meals for the players and schools that offer the scholarships”
Going forward Soroti Cricket Academy acquired a ground to play the game and Musana added that this gives him pride.
“We started from a football pitch and now have some grounds to play Cricket, [they are] not the best but it’s an upgrade we don’t take for granted and gives me pride.
“Another thing we celebrate is 70% are on the national team and also have two teams Soroti City and Olila High competing at the top level in the Women National League for the past four years.
“And knowing that the first girl to score a century for Uganda comes from our Academy put a huge smile on my face,” a happy Musana continued.
“The next decade for us will be getting International collaborations to showcase our talents out there with countries like South Africa, India, Australia, England to improve us technically and financially.
“We also want to put up a great Cricket facility on the level of an International Stadium where the girls can play the game with the hope that they can also get better and play in the Women’s Bash and IPL.”
The Soroti Cricket Awards are held every year and better will be expected at the Grounds in Soroti.
