Our view: When the emotions subside and the praise dies down, we all have to reflect on the lessons that this gentleman’s game teaches us about who we are as a society.
More than two decades of effort, trial, failure, and miniature success bore its biggest fruits as the national cricket team qualified for the 2024 International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.
For the proud cricket community, often regarded as small, it’s their moment to shine and share a cake so sweet that the saliva will flow for long.
The players have cemented their legacy as some of the true greats of a game that is widely regarded as elitist with its background intertwined with colonialism.
Cricket is a sport that colonial administrators introduced to a few schools where they retained control and influence.
Most of Uganda’s male cricketers in the past came from Busoga College Mwiri and King’s College Budo.
The latter even gave Uganda her first players to make the Cricket World Cup in Mr. Sam Walusimbi and the late John Nagenda.
The pair was part of a combined East African team that played at the 1979 edition of the tournament in England.
Even with the growth in excellence that the sport had in the early 2000s, it hardly broke the divide to attract players who didn’t come from those traditional schools.
About two decades ago, Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) made a deliberate campaign to take the sport to the trenches through the slum areas of Naguru and Nakawa.
Cricket is not just a game, it’s an opportunity for us to change lives and uplift the marginalized communities, said UCA spokesperson, Jane Mukasa.
Those players brought a different perspective to the game, especially resilience and hunger to find a voice they never had.
Cricket has given us a platform to dream and show the world what we are capable of. It’s a reminder that diversity only enhances the sport and society, expressed Frank Nsubuga, a 43-year-old cricketer who has been part of the national team for large parts of the past 22 years.
Unlike the players who saw cricket as an alternative to education, for most of those the sport attracted later on, they saw it as all they had.
In that time, Frank Nsubuga became the bridge between the two groups from different ebbs of society.
UCA has even gone further by naturalizing some Asian players to add quality to the side.
We believe in embracing diversity and creating a team that represents the true spirit of Uganda, said UCA chairman Joseph Graham.
All-rounders Riazat Ali Shah and Dinesh Nakrani, opening batsman Ronak Patel, and the bowling pair of Bilal Hassun and Alpesh Ramjani have become vital cogs in the team’s success.
In the end, what matters is that everyone is committed to representing Uganda. In fact, no one can trade their current position for any other. This is home.
When the emotions subside and the praise dies down, we all have to reflect on the lessons that this gentleman’s game teaches us about who we are as a society.
Cricket Cranes, as the national cricket team is affectionately called, serve as a reminder of the power of diversity and inclusion. By breaking the barriers of elitism and colonial influence, Uganda’s cricket community has embraced players from all walks of life.
The team’s qualification for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup is a testament to the hard work, perseverance, and dedication of the players, coaches, and administrators who have strived for more than two decades to put Uganda on the cricketing map.
Cricket, once limited to a few privileged schools, now thrives in marginalized communities, providing hope, opportunity, and a voice for those who previously went unheard.
Through cricket, we can change lives and uplift marginalized communities, said Jane Mukasa, spokesperson for the Uganda Cricket Association (UCA). The association’s deliberate campaign to expand the sport to slum areas like Naguru and Nakawa has brought a new perspective to the game, showcasing the resilience and hunger of players who see cricket as their only chance to succeed.
Frank Nsubuga, a seasoned cricketer who has been part of the national team for over two decades, acknowledged the transformative power of cricket. Cricket has given us a platform to dream and show the world what we are capable of. It’s a reminder that diversity only enhances the sport and society, he said.
UCA’s commitment to embracing diversity is evident in their naturalization of Asian players. Riazat Ali Shah, Dinesh Nakrani, Ronak Patel, Bilal Hassun, and Alpesh Ramjani have become invaluable members of the team, contributing to its success.
Ultimately, the unity and dedication displayed by the Cricket Cranes highlight the importance of embracing diversity and inclusivity. By breaking down barriers and providing equal opportunities, Uganda’s cricket community has not only achieved sporting success but also shown the world the true spirit of their nation.
As the celebrations subside and the team prepares for the T20 World Cup, it is essential for society to reflect on the lessons imparted by this gentleman’s game. Cricket reminds us that diversity is a source of strength, and when given the chance, individuals from all backgrounds can come together to create something truly remarkable.
