Innocent Ndawula
5 May 2011
The prospect of rubbing shoulders with elite players across the region and special talents from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka has got the local cricket fraternity buzzing with anticipation.
With news that Cricket Kenya (CK) are in final stages of initiating a lucrative franchise league dubbed the Kenya Premier League (KPL), the local stars and budding talents will have a chance to showcase their potential.
Playing in a competitive setting on a daily basis will go a long way in helping the East African national teams improve their game. It will be a vital step as both Kenya and Uganda look to restore their dented pride and scale the heights on the international scene after below par performances earlier this year at the World Cup and ICC Division II World Cricket League respectively.
“This tournament will keep us (national team) together and provide a ray of hope for us on the international scene,” commented all-rounder Frank Nsubuga.
Pressure situations
“There will be so many pressure situations during this tournament and if we get used to them then such moments will no longer scare on the international front as all of us would have adapted,” added Nsubuga, while echoing former coach Conrad Shukri’s words that the Uganda National League is not competitive enough.
The initiative will feature four Kenyan sides – two from Nairobi, one each from Coast and Rift Valley – as well as two Ugandan teams.
Each side will play ten games over weekends, with a Twenty20 match on a Saturday followed a day later by a 50-over contest. The leading four teams in each event would then progress to play-offs and a final.
“The league is estimated to run from July to October with all the players getting match allowances. The finalists battling it out for Shs26m. The foreign players will add spark to the league and we also have a deal with SuperSport to screen some the playoffs and final,” CK CEO Tom Sears was quoted in media recently. Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) have already confirmed their participation in the new tournament which is similar to the regional Bamburi Rugby Super Series.
AllAfrica – All the Time
Taken from:
Uganda: Stars Excited By Kpl