After a remarkable season last year that saw the Cricket Cranes qualify for their maiden World Cup and the Victoria Pearls progress to the World Cup Global Qualifiers, 2024 was always going to be a busy year for Cricket Uganda.
As such, Uganda Cricket Association has not wasted any time in getting ready. After sending the Cricket Cranes to Jinja for a ten-day boot camp last week, the girls have also embarked on a rigorous grounding.
The training commenced on Wednesday with 22 players summoned, three of whom are earning their first national team call ups.
The three include Naome Amongin, Kevin Amuge and Immaculate Nandera all from Soroti Cricket Academy, but the one who has been knocking on the national team doors is Amongin.
Unlike Amuge, Amongin has never even featured for the U19 team, but her progress has been visible and satisfying.
When Olila lifted the Girls Schools Cricket Week trophy in May, the 18-year-old was very instrumental to that success. She was as much an engine when Olila finished second in the Women’s T20 League last year in June.
It is no wonder that she bagged the league’s MVP award that year and also got named Soroti’s best at Soroti Cricket Academy Awards in December.
When the all-rounder failed to make the cut for the squad that took part in the Kwibuka Memorial last year, it was a bit of a surprise considering her peers Jimia Mohammed, Lorna Anyait and Malisa Ariokot did, but as they say, time always tells.
What Naome Amongin said
“I feel elated because for some good time, it has been my big dream to at least be on the national team,” Amongin said.
The Victoria Pearls started preps for the World Cup Global Qualifiers yesterday. 22 players in that regard were summoned; among them are @SorotiAcademy players Naome Amongin & Kevin Amuge who earn their first call up the national team. Here is their say on their selection. pic.twitter.com/MW4BSEHSxh
— Malinga Marion (@MalingaMarion23) January 10, 2024
“Being called to train with the national team is a big achievement for me as a player.” she added.
She went ahead to reveal what has kept her dream of playing for the national alive.
“The thing that has pushed me to do better is self motivation and motivation from other players. I realized that I can do better in whatever I do on the field so it pushes me to do what is right.”
Amongin and her peers and the entire team are gearing up for the World Cup Global Qualifiers that will happen in Dubai in April.
The Victoria Pearls are trying to emulate their male counterparts, the Cricket Cranes by qualifying for a first ever World Cup.
Courtesy Photos
