Batball Uganda limited has today officially announced the teams that shall be competing at the Batball X which was launched last month in Kampala under a social cause of creating awareness for the silent killer “Hypertension”
The names of the teams competing at Batball X tend to differ from the ones used at Batball Open 2022/23 season where teams were named after common birds in the different five regions of Uganda and in local names. This time round the five teams from the five respective regions have been named after common animals in the region.
Batball X teams are: Eastern Buffaloes, Nile Leopards, Northern Elephants, Rwanda Emerging, Western Bulls and Central Rhinos.
Unlike in Batball Open 2022/23 season where the 20 participating teams were named after common birds in the region and in their respective local languages with an aim of making locals bond well and give maximum support to their team, this time round the organizers have gone for English names but have stuck with wild animals as a way of promoting tourism.
“Due to the same aim, we have chosen to go by common animals in the different five regions of Uganda so that we remain on the same page of promoting tourism in Uganda and also we needed to be consistent in what we had started on,” says Martin Ondeko, Chief Operations Officer Batball Uganda Limited.
He concluded by saying that, the invitational team, Rwanda Emerging took up the name because national teams are meant to play against national teams and organizers could go with the name Rwanda because the other teams at Batball X are not national teams.
Batball X will run from the 15th -20th of August 2023 in Jinja for group A (Eastern Buffaloes, Nile Leopards and Northern Elephants) on 15th -16th August 2023 and in Kampala for Group B (Rwanda Emerging, Western Bulls and Central Rhinos) on the same and the best two teams per group will form a super 4 that will be played in Kampala at Lugogo cricket oval plus the finals on 20th August 2023.
Batball Uganda Limited, in collaboration with the Uganda Cricket Association, ensures that Batball X leaves an indelible mark on the cricketing landscape. Together, they form a formidable partnership, guiding and nurturing talent to new heights of success.
Batball X will be streamed live on batball.tv and other platforms, ensuring that fans and cricket enthusiasts from Uganda, Africa, and beyond can witness every breathtaking moment. This global viewership will expose Ugandan cricket to new horizons, creating opportunities for talented players to embark on international exchange programs and participate in high-profile tournaments worldwide.
Batball X Squads
Nile Leopards
Players: Muwangunzi Timothy (C), Masinde Arafat, Magezi Ronald, Nyiro Jonathan, Oloka Pius, Sohera Richard, Mulongo Paul, Ibanda Joel, Mudola Edgar, Sajabi Ibrahim, Hassan Bagaga, Kunsa Cyrus, Mukisa Dan and Cymprous Igulu.
Officials: Mugalula Habib (Coach) and Ssekatawa Isaac (Team Manager)
Western Bulls
Player: Exevie Bwambale, Victor Muhindo, Epharaim Kambale, Geofrey Kakaire(C), Luwasa Abdu Karim, Tendo Rayan, Emmanuel Odeke, Ntugire Brian, Nazir Kiggwe, Asasira Paul, Tumusime Ignitious, Asimwe Paul, Arenatwe Christable, Bwambale Festo
Officials: Kakande Ivan (Coach) and Yusuf Nanga- team manager
Rwanda Emerging
Players: Isae Niyomugabo, Eloi Loic Abimbabazi, Yves Ctusa, Chris Yussuf Namuhoranye, Emmanuel Manishimwe, Daniel Gumyusenge, Christian Benihirwe, D’Amour Byiringiro, Blaise Rindiro, Israel Mugisha, Eric Uwiduhaye, Vicent De Paul Yvan Bimenyiman, Francois Zirahangaje and Theoneste Hakuziyaremye
Officials: Lee Jonathan Booth (Head Coach) and Adelin Tuyizere
Northern Elephants
Players: Brian Owacgui, Aballo Jeremy Oyirwoth, Santos Ocitti (C), Anan Koffi Okoti, Emmanuel Rubanganheyo, Jovan Aldo Rubangakene, Humphrey Daniel Bua, Tonny Opiyo, Marvin Ouma, Amos Junior Ogenrwot, Coel Eyit, Peter Okello, Daniel Rubangakene and Kenneth Ogenrworth.
Officials: Patrick Busingye (Coach) and Kagoda Ivan (Team Manager)
Central Rhinos
Players: Kidega Christopher (C), Sowobi Yunusu, Namidala Shafic, Ochaya Jaffer, Abdul Shaqur Doka, Ochaya Ahmed Amir, Lubwama Conrad, Balisawa Ali, Musa Majid, Omara Ronald, Asiimwe Muhammad, Anas Baig, Mutagana Fahad, Munigwa Hamid and Aballo Jeremy Oyirwoth
Officials: Turyamwesimiira Baraka (Coach) and Mukaya Usuma (Team Manager)
Eastern Buffaloes:
Players: Ocen Peter, Malinga Jacob, Osakan Christopher, Apollo Joseph, Ainebyona Alban, Outeke Gideon, Sururu Juma, Alianu Stephen, Okako Elvis, Nitin Silvakumar, Obote Joshua, Emetu Paul and Kiribaki Deo
Officials: Ogwang Wilfred (Coach) Ebulu Ronald (Team Manager)