ICC Women’s Cricket Week sparks aspirations in Mukono

Mukono, Uganda – A whirlwind 20 seconds of footage from Uganda’s ICC Women’s Cricket Week activities at Mt St Henry’s Secondary School, Mukono, transcended local boundaries, reaching global audiences during a Women’s T20 World Cup broadcast. This brief global exposure has ignited inspiration among over 200 participating schoolgirls, underscoring Cricket Uganda’s dedication to fostering women’s cricket at the grassroots level.

“Women’s Cricket Week gives us a global platform to showcase the local momentum we are building,” stated Denis Musali, Hon Secretary for Cricket Uganda. “By investing heavily in these regional activations, we are not just teaching a game; we are building sustainable structures that will support the sport for decades to come.”

The event saw Victoria Pearls players and Cricket Uganda coaches engaging students with fundamental cricket drills, focusing on batting, bowling, and fielding in accessible and fun formats. National team captain Janet Mbabazi expressed her delight in directly connecting with young aspiring cricketers. “As Victoria Pearls, we are happy to come out and share knowledge and to let the girls know that there is a women’s cricket team out there,” Mbabazi commented. “I will be grateful for some of the girls to make it to the Victoria Pearls team because it means I left a mark.”

The presence of national players transformed the sport from a distant spectacle into a tangible reality for the students. Development coach Solomon Lubwama noted a significant increase in interest and continued participation post-event, with plans to equip Mt St Henry’s with necessary materials and ongoing technical support. “Bringing over 200 girls onto the field in a single afternoon shows the massive hunger for the sport,” said CU development manager Davis Turinawe.

The head teacher of Mt St Henry’s, Teopista Nakalembe, sees cricket as a potential avenue for educational and life opportunities for the girls. The true legacy of this initiative, beyond the fleeting television moment, is the cultivation of dreams and the potential for Mukono to emerge as a future hub for women’s cricket in Uganda. This event underscored that the sport belongs to them too, potentially nurturing the next generation of Ugandan cricket stars.

This story was originally reported by the Daily Monitor.