Richard Okia, the Uganda Cricket Association’s (UCA) Head of High Performance & Pathways, has returned to Uganda with a fresh roadmap aimed at accelerating the growth of women’s cricket after attending the ICC Women’s High Performance Workshop in Lahore, Pakistan.
The multi-day event brought together High Performance Managers, women’s cricket heads, coaches, and senior officials from Full and Associate ICC member countries, alongside teams gearing up for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier.
The global gathering focused on shaping the future of women’s cricket through inclusive policy discussions, grassroots investment models, and elite performance frameworks. Representing Uganda, Okia shared insights on the country’s evolving women’s cricket structure while engaging with leading experts from Test-playing nations and emerging cricketing nations.
Describing the workshop as an “eye-opener,” Okia emphasized its practical nature. “It wasn’t just dialogue — it was a solutions-driven gathering. We’ve come away with actionable frameworks adaptable to Uganda’s specific needs. From school programs to elite pathways and coaching structures, we now have a clear direction,” he said.
Okia’s participation reaffirmed UCA’s strong commitment to elevating women’s cricket in Uganda. He noted that the workshop highlighted the need for structured development pathways and greater investment in coaching, with an emphasis on integrating technology and performance analytics to enhance competitiveness.
While in Lahore, Okia also held several strategic bilateral meetings with key cricket development leaders. He met with Mr. Shahid Anwar, Head Coach of Pakistan’s National Cricket Academy, to discuss collaborations in technical support, coach and player development, and academy placements. Discussions with Ms. Rafia Haider, Director of the Pakistan Cricket Board Women’s Wing, explored avenues for supporting Uganda’s women’s cricket program through bilateral initiatives. Additionally, Okia engaged with Mr. Bulbul Bashar and Mr. Golam Faiyaz of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, focusing on collaboration and resource-sharing opportunities.
The latest developments set a promising tone for Uganda’s women’s cricket, as UCA looks to leverage these international engagements to drive domestic growth and long-term success.
