21st October, 2020, Kampala, Uganda.
After the outbreak of Covid-19, it was hard to predict whether we will be able to witness some cricketing action in 2020 or not. But as they say, slowly and steady wins the race, cricket has come to where it should belong.
CricHeroes team is delighted to announce its new tie-up with the Uganda Elite League. The fixtures of the Uganda Elite League have already been announced and there will be three teams participating in the tournament. The auction was done similarly as in the IPL style, players were sold according to their bids. There will be three teams competing for the crown, including Aziz Damani Scorpions purchased by Siva Koti at sh5m, Royal Varsani Bucks purchased by Tulsi Varsani also at sh5m, both being the highest Mambas went to Vaheen Muhammed for only sh4.5m.
The teams will see players camped in a bubble in Namirembe for the entire duration of the seven-day tournament. The teams have a good mixture of talent and experience as each team has last season's top performers from the league, plus the emerging players that went on the Qatar/India tour at the start of the year, and selected U/19 prospects. The tournament will feature total of 13 matches including the final which is scheduled on 31st October.
All games will take place at the Lugogo Cricket Oval with two matches played daily. The matches will be live-streamed because there will be no fans allowed at the oval.
Following are the squads of the three teams participating in the tournament -
AZIZ DAMANI SCORPIONS
Brian Masaba (captain) Zephaniah Arinaitwe Calvin Watuva Charles Waisma Gerald Mubiru Steven Wabwose Trevor Bukenya Derrick Bakunzi Innocent Mwebaze Wasim Butt Lawrence Ssempija Jaffar Ochaya Davis Karashani Shazad Kamal
Coach - Michael Grace Ndiko
METRO CHALLENGERS MAMBAS
Frank Akankwasa (captain) Cosmas Kyewuta Alex Obanda Daniel Ruyange David Wabwire Hamu Kayondo Henry Ssenyondo Kenneth Waisva Lawrence Ssimtemba Rogers Olipa Irfan Afridi Emmanuel Hasahya Perry Wezombe Younus Sowobi
Coach - Jackson Ogwang
ROYAL VARSANI BUCKS
Arnold Otwani (captain) Aneef Shah Deus Muhumuza Emmanuel Isaneez Frank Nsubuga Fred Acelam Jonathan Kizza Jonathan Ssebanja Simon Oketcho Simon Ssesazi Siraje Nsubuga Richard Agamire Robert Ajuna Robinso Obuya
Coach - Habib Mugalula
This high-value tie-up will be a boost to the CricHeroes team as Uganda Elite League is one of the esteemed T-20 leagues in Africa. Also, UEL is one of very few leagues which gives immense opportunity to youngsters and emerging talents. It will be exciting to see mixture of experience and talent showcasing their skills.