The second edition of the ladies Elite Cricket League will bowl off from 10th -17th December with four franchise teams taking part in the tournament.
The tourney follows the conclusion of the national ladies T20 tournament and the best players from the event have been selected to make up the four franchise teams.
The 1st edition was held last year in tough Covid times. Only two teams; Aziz Damani Hurricanes and Challengers Blizzards took part, the former turning out dominant in the series.
This year, the league will see four teams compete. Aziz Damani Hurricanes captained by Kevin Awino, Norther Knights led by Consy Aweko, Thunder Cricket Club led by Janet Mbabazi and Titans Cricket Club led by Carol Namugenyi.
All four sides have been assigned development coaches with Yusuf Nanga in charge of Aziz Damani Hurricanes, Sadam Oyaga will be in the dugout for Northern Knights, while Ivan Kakande and Lawrence Ssempijja will be in charge of Titans Cricket Club and Thunder Cricket Club respectively.
The stakes are high for the winning team as the winner will walk away with a cash prize of two million shillings.
The event will be played on a round robin format with the top side being crowned the champions. The matches that will be played at the Lugogo Cricket Oval and Kyambogo Cricket Oval. The games at the Lugogo Cricket Oval will all have a Live Stream on Uganda Cricket Association YouTube channel.
“Basically, the Elite League is structured to have the better players in the previously concluded women’s league play against themselves. The selectors picked out 52 of the top performers and drafted them into 4 teams accordingly,” Uganda Cricket Association Development Manager Davis Turinawe said after this development was revealed.
Turinawe adds that the selectors thought this is a step closer to selection of the women’s team that will be engaged in training for next year’s activities.
The top performers after this league will form the core team that will train for senior team engagements that are scheduled from February through the year.
FULL SQUADS:
Thunder Cricket Club: 1. Leona Babirye, 2. Mildred Anyipo, 3. Janet Mbabazi (Captain), 4. Jimia Muhammed, 5. Stephanie Nampiina, 6. Maria Nyende Kagoya, 7. Scovia Akello, 8. Jasmine Nabulya, 9. Eunice Kobusingye, 10. Christine Anayo, 11. Irene Alumo, 12. Natasha Amenyo, 13. Teddy Oyella. Coach Lawrence Ssempijja
Aziz Damani Hurricanes: 1. Kevin Awino (Captain), 2. Eunice Alungat, 3. Rita Musamali, 4. Edith Achimo, 5. Janet Nakiranda, 6. Jackline Nakayovu, 7. Rita Nyangendo, 8. Lynette Nakato, 9. Malisa Ariokot, 10. Gloria Obukor, 11. Patricia Agwang, 12. Phiona Kulume, 13. Mary Akello. Coach Yusuf Nanga
Northern Knights Warriors: 1. Proscovia Alako, 2. Barbara Mukankusi, 3. Naomi Kayondo, 4. Claire Mushakamba, 5. Susan Kakai, 6. Mary Namiiro, 7. Brenda Nabisalu, 8. Naomi Amongin, 9. Saa Atim, 10. Consy Aweko (Captain), 11. Patricia Malemikia, 12. Ann Nyapendi, 13. Racheal Achan. Coach: Oyaga Sadam
Titan Cricket Club: 1. Rachel Ntono, 2. Shakira Saddick, 3. Esther Iloku, 4. Patricia Timong, 5. Immaculate Nakisuyi, 6. Joyce Mary Apio, 7. Carol Namugenyi (Captain), 8. Shubeika Naigaga, 9. Relyn Musiime, 10. Sara Akiteng, 11. Evelyn Anyipo, 12. Julia Karungi, 13. Sara Walaza
Coach: Ivan Kakande.