Twelve players that have been part of the initial training squad of 26 have been awarded national team contracts. The basis of selecting the 12 was done by the selection committee with the guidance of the national team coach Laurence Mahatlane.
The training squad summoned in October has been training under the guidance of the coach and recently finished a seven-day residential camp in Entebbe.
The current form of the players contributed a lot in the selection with Emmanuel Hasakya and Simon Ssesazi rewarded for their good form.
“We have rewarded the boys who have showed the greatest character since i have been around, however, there are no guarantees for them of making the final 14-man squad to either Namibia or Jersey. Therefore, I hope the guys dont get complacent, but continue to improve their game and become great ambassadors for Uganda Cricket,” Coach Mahatlane said.
Martin Ondeko, Uganda Cricket Association CEO noted that they want to achieve ODI status and for them to get there, they have to invest in the greatest assets in this process who are the players.
“We have reached a level where the players are now semi-professional and our commitment to this as an association is to make sure we remunerate the players. The contracts should be a motivation for every player and should also create more competition within the side,” Ondeko said.
The cricket cranes are preparing for the second round of the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B in Jersey in September, however, their immediate focus is the upcoming tour to Namibia in April.
The contracted players will each be assured of a monthly stipend from Uganda Cricket Association as well as medical, lunch and transport allowances. The contracts will be reviewed every after three months.
List of contracted players
1. Brian Masaba, 2. Arnold Otwani, 3. Frank Nsubuga, 4. Henry Ssenyondo, 5. Fred Achellam, 6. Emmanuel Hasakya, 7. Simon Ssesazi, 8. Kenneth Waiswa, 9. Riazat Ali Shah, 10. Cosmas Kyewuta, 11. Dinesh Nakrani and 12. Ronak Patel.
