‎Cricket Uganda, Mumbai Cricket Association sign landmark five-year partnership

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‎Cricket Uganda (CU) has entered a landmark five-year strategic partnership with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), a move expected to significantly boost player development, coaching standards, high-performance structures, and international exposure for Ugandan cricket.
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‎The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the iconic Dadoji Konddev Stadium in Thane, Maharashtra, marking one of the most significant international collaborations in Cricket Uganda’s history.
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‎The agreement was signed by Cricket Uganda Chairman Jackson Kavuma and MCA Secretary Unmesh Khanvilkar in the presence of officials from both organizations, members of the Uganda national cricket team, the Cricket Cranes, and representatives from the Mumbai Falcons.
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‎The Cricket Cranes are already benefiting from the partnership through an ongoing exposure tour in Mumbai, where they have played four One-Day matches and four T20 games against various Mumbai select teams between May 16 and May 31. MCA has facilitated the team’s travel, accommodation, and key logistical arrangements during the tour.
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‎Speaking during the signing ceremony, MCA President Ajinkya Naik described the partnership as a mutually beneficial relationship that would support the growth of both cricketing communities.
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‎“It is a great opportunity for Mumbai players to play against Uganda. As we prepare for the Mumbai T20 Premier League, playing against an international side is a proud moment for our players,” Naik said.
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‎He added that Mumbai was committed to supporting the development of cricket in Uganda and across Africa.
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‎“Whenever you need us, please come back. We are ready to help. Your players can come here during your off-season and we can support each other, including through staff exchanges. I hope this partnership grows from strength to strength,” he said.
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‎For Cricket Uganda Chairman Jackson Kavuma, the agreement represents the culmination of years of relationship-building and engagement with Mumbai cricket officials.
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‎“When I first came here three years ago, it was just a casual relationship. Little did I know it would grow into something this big and something that can take cricket to greater heights,” Kavuma said.
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‎“As a Board, we are delighted with this five-year partnership because we believe it will change the mindset of our players and officials, improve our structures, and help grow our game. We see this as the beginning of many more opportunities.”
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‎Kavuma also revealed plans to host a Mumbai representative team in Uganda next year as both parties seek to strengthen ties through reciprocal tours and exchanges.
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‎Uganda Cricket Cranes head coach Steve Tikolo hailed the partnership as a major boost for the national team and the wider cricket fraternity.
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‎“It gives us a lot of pleasure to be here in Mumbai and play this type of cricket. The positives we are taking from this tour will put us in a very good place for the tournaments we have coming up in the next two months,” said Tikolo.
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‎He emphasized the importance of maintaining such collaborations, noting that regular exchanges between the two cricket bodies would accelerate development on both sides.
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‎“This is the kind of partnership that should never stop. Mumbai can come to Uganda and Uganda can come to Mumbai. Through such exchanges, both sides will definitely get to the next level,” he added.
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‎Cricket Uganda’s Head of High Performance and Pathways, Richard Okia, highlighted the long-term vision behind the agreement, saying the initiative would benefit players across all levels of the game.
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‎“Our plan is to expose the Under-19s, Under-23s, the senior men’s team, and the women’s team. We want to create a holistic environment where every level of our cricket benefits from international exposure,” Okia said.
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‎Tour captain Fred Achelam said the experience gained from competing in Mumbai was already having a positive impact on the team.
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‎“As a team, we are really grateful for this opportunity. Win or lose, it is the process that matters. The boys are learning, improving, and carrying the momentum forward. We believe this partnership will make us stronger,” Achelam noted.
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‎Under the agreement, Cricket Uganda and the Mumbai Cricket Association will collaborate in several strategic areas, including expanding international playing opportunities for Ugandan national teams, strengthening high-performance systems, developing sustainable player pathways, enhancing coaching and technical expertise, and growing women’s cricket.
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‎The five-year partnership is viewed as a major milestone in Cricket Uganda’s ambition to establish itself among the leading Associate cricket nations globally.