The resumption of sports as per the presidential directive on 20/09/2020 was received with great pleasure by the entire sporting fraternity, cricket inclusive. In his address, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni directed for the resumption of sports with strict guidelines that is; mandatory testing of all players 72 hours before competition, testing players after every 14 days, mandatory quarantine of all players in case of a tournament and games without fans.
For local cricket governing body Uganda Cricket Association (UCA), the association is now working on the final draft of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and also their planned activities (alternative activity calendar) for approval by NCS not later than this Saturday, 02/10/2020. This is in accordance with NCS and the sports governing bodies’ meeting held last week regarding modalities on how to proceed with the resumption of competitive play.
“We are working on our new activity calendar. The way we plan to host our events portrays a clear and detailed compliance to the SOPs as directed in the presidential address,” the association said via a missive signed by its executive.
“Everything has been worked upon and we shall submit our SOPs and planned activities before the deadline. We are ready to compete once again,” the statement adds.
NCS shall give feedback to sports federations of approval of all planned activities by 09/10/2020
and follow on 19/10/2020 for compliance. No sports activity shall resume without approval from NCS.
In light of this, the Uganda Cricket secretariat is engaging all relevant stakeholders to ensure a fast and swift return to cricket within the stipulated guidelines.
However, all trainings and competitive cricket activities still remain on hold until the secretariat communicates a new position.
However, a few weeks ago, UCA cancelled all the 2020 domestic activities due to the continued ban on sports then.
The affected events are; 50 Over Men’s National League, 50 Overs Women’s National League and the Schools’ Cricket Week (both Boys and Girls).
However, once competitive play is reinstated in the cricket ovals, UCA will organise short format tournaments to engage the players and fans.
For the exceptional performers in the 2019 Season, UCA is organizing an award and recognition ceremony which will be communicated in due course as soon as arrangements are confirmed.
