By Jejje Muhinde;
Based on the recent positive discussions with the Minister of Sports Aurore Mimosa, the Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA) have revealed they are hopeful the government will okay the return of cricket soon.
Rwanda suspended all sports activities in 2020 in the wake of Covid-19 outbreak and Julius Mbaraga the RCA Secretary General says they’re certain the decision will soon be overturned following the steps taken.
“We are positive cricket will receive a green light, we have submitted preventative measures against Covid-19 that will be enforced when the sport resumes” he said.
From the look of things, the Secretary General says, the national Under-19 and senior men’s team have to play the International assignments, this gives us the sureness. Our 2021 Events Calendar is already out for both the domestic and international tournaments to be played” he said.
The calendar includes the Elite League (men), proposed to start from May 20-23, plus the annual Kwibuka female tourney set to start from June 5-13
Two rounds of the Elite women league will also be played, with the first set to start from July 1-4 while the second is scheduled to commence in August 27-29.
The T20 Club Tournament for both the Division 1 and Division 2 is set in August, September before concluding in December.
RCA has also scheduled a bilateral series for the senior men’s team, to be played either against Malawi or Ghana from October 7-10.
The U19 men’s team will take part in the ICC Cricket World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier scheduled in Tanzania from August 7-13, 2021.
If Rwanda finish in the top two slots, they will play in the; ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier slated in Nigeria from September 25 to October 1st.
The ladies national cricket team will also be involved in the ICC T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier tournament slated in Botswana from September 3-11, 2021.
The men’s senior national team will participate in the T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier, panned in South Africa from October 25-31.
If Rwanda qualifies, then they will play in the; ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier scheduled in Nigeria from November 24-27, 2021.