The fourth and final leg of the Batball Open will be played during the weekend of 18th-19th March 2023 with nine matches on the card. The event was launched on Monday at Lugogo Cricket Oval by its organizers and Uganda Cricket Association.
Dubbed the Central Edition, the event will be graced by four boys’ teams as it’s been the case with the previous legs. The teams are; Naddibanga, Ensega, Akasumagizi and Kalooli. These names have been derived from those of the birds that are common to the region so that the locals can identify with the teams.
Paul Kaheru who leads the local organizing committee for the Central Edition showpiece says that they want to cap the Batball Open with a bang and they will serve a cocktail of cricket and fan/entertainment.
“We expect the event to be bigger and better than the previous ones,” Kaheru said adding that; “the central region of the country is more vibrant and we expect it to be reflected at the event.”
“I also believe the games will be very exciting because of the quality of the players in the event. I urge all people especially cricket fans to come to Entebbe this weekend,” Kaheru added.
Batball Limited Chief Operations Officer Martin Ondeko says that the previous legs of the Batball Open have been very exciting and community engaging and he expects the same this weekend.
“It will be very exciting to see the youngsters exhibit their talent in front of the fans. The past events really went on well and I hope things will go on as planned,” Ondeko noted.
Uganda Cricket Association’s Joshua Mwanja at the launch said that Batball Open will help in grassroots development and the fact that it has been held regionally will help the game broaden its wings throughout the nation.
The team captains for the Entebbe event are; Ronald Omara (Naddibanga), Hamid Munigwa (Ensega), Christopher Kidega (Akasumagizi) and Muhammad Abdallah Yakub Asiimwe (Kalooli).
Batball Open Central Edition is intended to create a social impact tagged ‘FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS’ through various direct and indirect impact activities.
The main aim of the event is to recognize talent and supplement the regional infrastructure of Cricket in respective regions with the Central region being the fourth to benefit from this. Uganda Cricket Association’s support to the tournament is a demonstration of their commitment to sustainable development of cricket in the country.
Batball is desirous of regional participation to maximize value creation, value transfer, impact, and an ardent desire to put Entebbe on the global Cricket map.
Batball believes Entebbe and Cricket go a long way, and with this tournament Entebbe would again come on Global radar with worthy players going for Global Exchange Programs, International and National U-19 tournaments, and Batball Regionals with greater global impact, viewership, and scope.
Meanwhile, after the Batball Open legs wind down this weekend, each region will field 16 best players in the next challenge called Batball X that will be played in June. This will be followed by Batball Max which will be played by the best players from Batball X and a franchise side that will consist of foreign players.
The inaugural edition of Batball Open was held in Soroti last year and was won by Ejibat. Buutu won the Nile edition in Jinja while Agak won the third edition held in Gulu.
Batball Open Central Edition schedule and fixtures
18th March 2023, Game Day 1
Ensega Vs Kalooli – 9:00AM
Akasumagizi Vs Naddibanga -10:40AM
Ensega Vs Naddibanga -12:20PM
Kalooli Vs Akasumagizi -2:30PM
Ensega Vs Akasumagizi -4:00PM
19th March 2023, Game Day 2
Kalooli Vs Naddibanga -9:00AM
Winner 3 Vs Winner 4 (3rd and 4th playoffs)-10:40AM
Winner 2 Vs Winner 3 (2nd and 3rd playoffs)- 12:20PM
Winner 1 Vs Winner 2 (Finals)- 3:00PM.
