Aziz Damani are undoubtedly the top-notch cricket outfit in the country at the moment and this is justified by the accolades they have collected in the recent past.
On Saturday, Aziz Damani took home all the team awards for the 2022 season in both the men’s and women’s leagues in a ceremony held at Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala.
The awards happened after a season curtain raiser match between Aziz Damani men’s side who are Division 1 champions and Aziz Damani Development who are champions of Division 2 and promoted to the top tier division. The latter came atop beating their main side by 5 wickets (111/5 in 15.4/20 overs against 110/10 in 19.4/20 overs) and sending a warning to other sides in Division 1.
Last season’s Division 2 best batsman, Ronald Lutaaya who posted 15 runs from 16 balls (including a six) as Aziz Damani Development cruised past their ‘brothers’ says that they are anticipating a good ride in the 2023 season but they’re not carried away by the Saturday victory.
“We feel good about this. This has motivated to work harder so that we can compete at the highest level. I believe we shall do well this season but we have to be more serious and competitive,” Lutaaya who was MVP of the Waterfalls T20 League said adding that he looks forward to the ‘Aziz Damani derby’ in the league itself.
Other top performers for Aziz Damani Development included Juma Miyaji with 30 runs (not out) and Cyrus Kakuru with 28 runs.
However, Alpesh Ramjani who plays for the Aziz Damani main side tipped his counterparts to soar high in the upcoming campaign. He meanwhile posted a game high 34 runs.
Aziz Damani Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Siva Koti Reddy Challa says that for Men’s Division 1 this season, Aziz Damani sides will be called Aziz Damani A (for the main team) and Aziz Damani B (for the recently promoted side).
Siva Koti says that having two sides in the top tier division is something he prides in and is confident that both sides will shine this season, including the women’s side in their division.
“I want the Aziz Damani teams to always be on top as they have always done in the past years. We want even the recently promoted team the continue doing well in Division 1. I’m confident these teams will make us proud,” Siva Koti said adding that they will form another development outfit very soon.
Aziz Damani has five teams competing in the Uganda local leagues, and three of those took home the trophies yesterday.
The senior men’s team won their fifth title in a row after finishing the season in the Men’s top-flight league unbeaten. The defending champions could’ve won the league unblemished, had they not been made to drop points against Wanderers in a game that was declared a no-result.
Newly promoted Ceylon Lions gave Damani a run for their money, but could only manage to finish second.
In the Men’s Div 2, Aziz Damani Development was heads and shoulders above everyone else en route to their Division 2 triumph and in doing so, earned themselves promotion to the top flight.
Nyakasura managed to keep off Patidar and gain promotion to the top flight as the second side from the second division.
In the women’s division, Aziz Damani cruised to their fourth 40-over league title in a row without dropping a point. The return of Immaculate Nakisuyi, Proscovia Alako, and Stephanie Nampiina gave an already strong side more firepower as they kept off the challenge of Wanderers and Olila High.
Olila High edged Wanderers to the second position due to a better run rate as both teams finished with the same number of points.
In Division 2, the return of Habib Mugalula as a coach gave Jinja SSS a fresh breath as they went on an unbeaten run that saw them clinch the title and also promotion back to the top flight.
Aziz Damani Development was hot on the heels of Jinja SSS, but failed to catch up with the side which meant they settled for second place.
Individual Winners for 2022 season:
Division 1 Men:
Best Batter: Simon Ssesazi (Aziz Damani)
Best Bowler – Yashashvi Joshi (Avengers)
MVP – Harsh Panchal (Avengers)
Division 2 Men:
Best Batter – Ronald Lutaaya (Aziz Damani Development)
Best Bowler – Chintan Kerai (Patidar)
MVP – Chintan Kerai (Patidar)
Divusion 1 Women:
Best Batter – Stephanie Nampiina (Aziz Damani)
Best Bowler – Franklyn Najjumba (Best Bowler)
MVP – Stephanie Nampiina (Aziz Damani)
Division 2 Women:
Best Batter – Whitney Nassuna (Jinja SSS)
Best Bowler – Irene Mutonyi (St John’s SSS Mukono)
MVP – Irene Mutonyi (St John’s SSS Mukono).
