Soroti Cricket Academy celebrates a decade of excellence

Soroti Cricket Academy chairman Felix Musana hopes to make Soroti Cricket Academy a centre of sports excellence in the Eastern Region as they mark a decade since its inception.

The former cricketer is filled with delight after firmly establishing cricket development in the eastern region, especially in Soroti district.

“We are looking at the cricket academy as a centre of sports excellence for both girls and boys in the region while providing a holistic educational foundation,” Musana revealed. He noted this on Wednesday morning at Zimbali Restaurant in Kampala during the launch of the Soroti Cricket Academy's 10th anniversary.

The celebrations will be held at Soroti Cricket Oval in Soroti district on December 20-21. The main ground, Teso College Aloet, and St Mary Girls School Madera will host many activities that depict the academy's history. Musana is moved by the positive impact the academy has had on the growth of the sport nationally, stemming from humble roots.

“Nothing gives me more joy and thrill than seeing the academy produce players that now dominate the women’s cricket national team (Gazelles), including Evelyn Anyipo, Ester Elok, and others hailing from the academy setup,” Musana shared.

The academy, which started with only four female players in 2014, now has close to 1,200 players from primary, secondary, and higher learning institutions. Over the past 10 years, the academy has ensured that 50 boys and girls receive free education through schools like Olila High School. The academy also possesses three dedicated cricket grounds, providing ample space for the academy to thrive in the region.

“We look forward to providing better cricket-playing opportunities to our players in better cricket-playing nations like Namibia, England, and Australia. We started this with an academy visit to Kigali earlier this year,” Musana added.

Despite the success, the academy faces challenges, such as supporting players who hail from very humble backgrounds. Musana notes, “The academy is financially constrained regarding school fees (tuition) and other amenities. Apart from the Uganda Cricket Association, funding comes from personal resources of the academy's top guns.”

The academy's impact and future prospects are clear, marking a significant milestone in Uganda’s cricket history.