The recently concluded U19 Girls High-Performance Camp held in Jinja marked a significant step forward for the development of women’s cricket in Uganda.
Bringing together 26 of the most promising young cricketers from across the country, the 10-day residential camp (21st–31st October) was designed to sharpen the technical, tactical, physical, and mental aspects of the players ahead of crucial international assignments—including next year’s ICC U19 Girls World Cup Qualifiers.
Hosted at Jinja Secondary School, the camp served as an intensive preparation platform and a talent incubator, aligning with Uganda Cricket Association’s vision of building a more competitive and resilient national team at the youth level.
The players engaged in high-intensity sessions covering:
- Batting, bowling, and fielding fundamentals
- Fitness and strength conditioning
- Game awareness and match simulations
- Mental resilience and psychological preparedness
Additionally, the girls received mentorship in areas like discipline, leadership, and teamwork— factors considered vital in high-pressure tournaments.
To further enrich the experience, members of the senior men’s national team—the Cricket Cranes— joined the camp, offering invaluable guidance and inspiration.
Their presence helped bridge the gap between junior and senior levels, giving the girls a glimpse into the demands of international cricket.
Uganda’s U19 girls’ team has come close to World Cup qualification in recent years but has narrowly missed out:
- 2022 in Botswana – lost to Rwanda in the semi-finals
- 2024 in Kigali – fell short against Zimbabwe in the semi-finals
These near-misses prompted the High-Performance Department to take a more proactive and long-term approach.
According to Head of High Performance, Richard Okia, this camp represents a strategic shift: “The Jinja U19 camp has been an eye-opener for both players and coaches.
We’ve seen encouraging strides in skills development, but more importantly, the growth in the players’ confidence and professionalism. This camp has laid a strong foundation as we prepare to take on bigger challenges.”
Selection Process: A Nation-Wide Search for Talent Players were selected based on:
- Age eligibility
- Performance in the domestic T20 League
- Standout displays during the Girls Schools Cricket Week (Gulu, May 2025)
Taking charge of the camp were Robinson Turinawe and Jonathan Sebanja as coaches, Sandra Achawo as the manager, and Habiba Anguyo serving as the physiotherapist. Talent scouts identified emerging players from diverse regions and schools, resulting in a rich blend of skill sets and backgrounds. Notably, Sarah Tino—who was a reserve in the previous U19 squad— featured in the camp, signalling her continued development.
