The Victoria Pearls will feature at the 10th edition in Kigali Rwanda from May 30th – June 8th. The annual ladies tournament is hosted by Rwanda Cricket Association and is a remembrance for the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.
The tournament that has grown in international stature from 2014 has attracted eight teams this year with Zimbabwe, Cameroon and Malawi featuring for the 1st time this year. The other teams at the 10th edition include hosts Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Botswana and Nigeria. Uganda and Kenya have won the tournament three times with the hosts Rwanda the defending champions.
The Victoria Pearls squad for the tournament is a balance of youth and experience with an eye on the U-19 World Cup Qualifiers later this year. The squad of 14 players features six players that are U-19 and will need the exposure at the Kwibuka to be game ready for the qualifiers. The baby Victoria Pearls technical team of Head Coach Yusuf Nanga, Assistant Coach Ivan Kakande and Team Manager Lelia Namaganda will be part of the contingent to have a look at the other teams.
Janet Mbabazi will lead the team with Rita Musamali continuing as Vice Captain for the side. Uganda last won the Kwibuka in 2016 and were on the wrong end of the result last year against Rwanda.
Zimbabwe will pose a new challenge for the teams but Nigeria, Kenya and Rwanda are all hungry for success.
The tournament has international T20i status therefore teams will be looking for ranking points as well.
The Victoria Pearls will leave Kampala on Tuesday 28th by road to Kigali Rwanda.
The Team: Janet Mbabazi (Captain) , Rita Musamali, Consy Aweko, Kevin Awino, Stephanie Nampiina, Immaculate Nakisuyi, Sarah Walaza, Malisa Ariokot, Lorna Anyait, Patricia Timong, Akurut Asumin, Proscovia Alako, Jimia Muhammad, Immaculate Nandera,
Team Officials:Lawrence Ssematimba (Head Coach), Yusuf Nanga, Ivan Kakande, Lelia Namaganda Ondeko (Team Manager)
