There may be need for Kishor Pabari to the current generation in Ugandan cricket.

Originally from India, Pabari is known to have supported many Asian-born cricketers like Nehal Bibodi and, offered sponsorship and cricket equipment in Uganda when he came here in 1982.

He died in 1993 and a year later, a tournament to remember Kishor’s works was organised. The Kishor Pabari Memorial returned with the second edition involving six franchises at Lugogo and Kyambogo Ovals at the weekend.

With several incentives for every nitty gritty, this has triggered some impressive displays in the six round-robin matches played. 
“There are several bonuses set like Shs50,000 for every man-of-match award,” organiser Hanumant Katkar told this paper.

“If one’s team wins, then a every wicket is worth Shs5000 shared by a bowler and fielder (if its a catch and Shs1000 per run made. It’s a bit lower for the losing team.” he added.

That means Challengers’ skipper Ivan Thawithemwira scooped Shs75,000 after smashing a half-ton of 75 runs off 28 balls as they defeated the Rwanda Select XI by 131 runs on Saturday.

“That’s good money,” Thawi said of the bonuses and Shs5m cash prize set to be given out after the final this Sunday.

“But whether there was no money or not, Challengers is a competitive side that would love to win every tournament they play,” the lanky batsman said following two wins out of three ties.

Although Rwanda XI failed in their attempt to chase Challengers’ 232-5, their batsman Eric Hirwa (33 of 26) was picked as player of match ahead of opponent Sadic Fahad (5/19).

National coach Steve Tikolo and Charity Trust Fund captain Jonathan Ssebanja turned up for Aziz Damani.

The Division II champions lost to a Nicholas Kebba-inspired (34 off 48) Tornado Bee by six wickets but recovered by beating Challengers on Sunday.

Here, Brian Masaba took the match’s best player honour after picking 5/15 and making 19 off 38 but Tikolo’s 36-ball 48 was equally outstanding.

KISHOR PABARI MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT
ROUND-ROBIN RESULTS
Challengers 94/10 Aziz Damani 95/2
(Challengers won by 8 wickets)
Challengers 232/5 Rwanda Select XI 101/10 
(Challengers won by 131 runs)
Everest 147/5 Rwanda Select 55/10
(Everest won by 92 runs)
KICC 141/8 Rwanda Select XI 113/10 
(KICC won by 28 runs)
Aziz Damani 136/7 Tornado Bee 140/4
(Tornado Bee won by 6 wickets)

At about 4:30pm, there were still a few drizzles after a downpour at Lugogo Oval yesterday. 
The Pepsi Boys’ Schools Cricket Week final had just been washed out for the second time in three years.
The anticipated clash between Jinja Secondary School and Mukono Parents School had not taken place.

At the time, neither Yemi Alade and Sauti Sol’s Africa nor Winnie Nwagi’s Musawo could lighten up the somber mood. “Some of us had come to watch a fitting finale but the rain has spoiled the day,” senior national women’s team captain Naome Kayondo said. But Mukono had not missed out to add to their 2013 title.

They were later declared champions on grounds that they earned the highest points tally in the group stages of the competition.
“It feels good,” Mukono Parents’ assistant captain Zephaniah Arinaitwe said shortly after receiving the trophy with skipper Rogers Olipa. “We did well and surely deserved to take home this gong,” added Arinaitwe, who was voted player of series with 455 runs and 15 in seven matches

The team had won all five Group B matches to total 70 points while Jinja had accumulated 49 points for second in Group A. 
Mukono coach Frank Nsubuga largely credited Olipa and Arinaitwe’s leadership for the feat. “Without Zepha, it would have really been tight,” Nsubuga said. “But I still congratulate the boys for their effort since we began the work in June.” Earlier in the day, Nile Club batsman Arinaitwe, who struck a tournament record of 206 runs off 54 balls against Ntare, had missed out on a second tournament ton.

The 15-year-old combined 12 fours and two sixes for a half-century of 92 runs off 53 balls as they dispatched an impressive Nyakasura School by 118 runs in the morning semifinal at Kyambogo.
But Jinja, too, had just stunned record winners Busoga College Mwiri by six wickets courtesy of Calvin Watuwa’s 34*-run-a-ball for their first final.

After that, coach Habibu Mugalula was massively let down by the no-show. “I am very disappointed. Very disappointed,” he said. 
“Their best player is Zepha who has never scored against Jinja in the Week and I had a plan for Nsubuga’s team,” Mugalula added.

CRICKET SCHOOLS WEEK

FINAL: Mukono Parents vs. Jinja SSS
(Match washed out)
SEMIFINALS
BS Mwiri 88/9 Jinja SSS 89/4 
(Jinja SSS won by 6 Wickets)
Mukono PS 190/2 Nyakasura 72/8
(Mukono PS won by 118 runs)

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There was a catalyst as the battle lines were drawn for this year’s Pepsi Schools Cricket Week that bowls off tomorrow at five different ovals in Kampala.

Although champions Busoga College Mwiri have bossed the last two editions, the rivaling schools have borrowed a leaf from the 16-time record winners by hiring permanent coaches. Coach Emmanuel Isaneez’s wit and pace philosophy was the difference as Mwiri dismantled Kololo by 30 runs in last year’s heated final at Lugogo Oval.

“It is going to be an extremely exciting edition,” said Justine Ligyalingi, the Uganda Cricket Association CEO, during the tournament’s media launch at Lugogo yesterday. “Every school has prepared well and we have equipped them well thanks to Bankstown Cricket Club in Sydney, Australia. Many of the boys also play club cricket and know there is a chance to push into the national junior sides for international competitions.”

Mukono Parents, winners in 2013, have secured the services of national all-rounder Frank Nsubuga, Kololo still have the know-it-all Jackson Ogwang, debutants Rainbow International have pro-active John Tumusiime, Jinja SS have soft-spoken Habibu Mugalula, Masaka SS hired ACC’s Yusuf Nanga whereas Teso College Aloet will bank on coach Ivan Kakande’s advice. The tournament that ends on September 9 will be played on a Twenty20 format and Makerere College will host all the school teams and officials.

Participating schools & coaches:

1. Busoga College Mwiri – Isaneez
2. Mukono Parents – Frank Nsubuga
3. Jinja SS – Habibu Mugalula
4. Rainbow International - John Tumusiime
5. Masaka SSS – Yusuf Nanga
6. Ndejje SS – William Kamanyi
7. Kololo SS – Jackson Ogwang
8. Ntare - Alvin Bagaya
9. Nyakasura Ivan Thawithemwira
10. Teso College Aloet – Ivan Kakande
11. King’s College Budo - Ivan Jurua & St James - Juma Gabula.

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It was difficult to realise that both KICC and Charity Trust Fund were yet to lose in five National Men’s Twenty20 Cup ties as they faced off at Lugogo Oval on Sunday morning. All seemed ordinary until after midday when KICC went on to win by three runs in a very tense finish. The best had been saved for last.

“We put up the best display and deserved to win,” said KICC bowler Emmanuel Taban after he staved off the opposition when they needed nine runs to win off the last over.

Enroute to their sixth straight win in Group A, KICC skipper Hanumant Katkar had opted to bat first upon winning the toss. When opener Irfan Afridi was caught by Ronald Opio off Collin Abong (3/19) for a duck after two overs, Katkar backed his decision with a neat 37-ball 32*.

Teenager Siraj Nsubuga latter made five boundaries to top-score with 44 off 25 balls as the 2014 finalists KICC survived Varinder Singh (2/18) and Innocent Ndawula (2/9) to set 113-8. Charity bowlers’ donkey work seemed to go to waste when openers Opio and Edmond Musasizi departed for a combined eight runs after 2.1 overs. 
Varinder (30 off 27), captain Lawrence Ssempijja (18 off 22) and Roger Makwasi (14 off 23) all guided the team out of Egypt but the Promised Land seemed far.

With fans cheering, the Charity locker room on their feet and KICC players unfazed, the final batting combo of Abong (6* off 8) and Emma Kamya (8* off 8) failed to get the required 11 runs off the last 12 balls. “We were under pressure,” Abong said later after an exchange with some of his teammates. “The top order should have done better.”

Charity dusted themselves by beating Kutchi Tigers for a 25-run victory courtesy of superb bowling from the experienced Ndawula.

The chinaman took man-of-match honours after picking 3/13 off 22 deliveries that left Tigers staggering while chasing a target of 107. Across other venues, there were more nervy endings such as Mwiri chasing Avengers’ 163/8 to win by a wicket with a ball to spare in Budo. Similarly, Pirates’ Robinson Turinawe (3/22) helped Pirates defend their 145/9 against hosts JACC.

Weekend t20 results 
Wanderers 126/2 Strikers 129/5 
(Strikers won by five wickets)
KICC 113/8 Charity TF 110/7
(KICC won by 3 runs)
Charity TF 107/8 Kutchi Tigers 82/10
(Charity TF won by 25 runs)
Tornado 165/4 SKLPS 105/8
(Tornado won by 60 runs)
Premier 117/9 Tornado 115/10 
(Premier won by 2 runs)
Tornado Bee 165/5 KC Budo 113/8
(Tornado Bee won by 52 runs)
Patidar 87/8 Tornado Bee 90/1
(Tornado Bee won by nine wickets)

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The script is almost similar to last year’s. Like 2015 where they won the first seven matches, Tornado Bee now have made it five in five after seeing off KICC by 30 runs at Lugogo Oval on Saturday.

The result meant that Tornado Bee completed the first round of six-team topflight tier with 29 points. But it was double delight for their coach Jackson Ogwang who was celebrating his 28th birthday on the day.

“When we met on Thursday, I asked the girls to deliver a win on Saturday,” said Ogwang.
Shortly after the win, his players toasted to his birthday with a surprise cake. “I did not know that there was cake,” he said, “I was astonished!”

But the party was almost not taking place had Tornado Bee not found quick remedy for KICC’s Rihanna Mutesi.

In her nine-over bowling spell, Mutesi took figures of 5/29 and Gloria Adubu had 2/31 but Patricia Munguryek (30* off 48) and Saidat Kemigisha (24* off 25) guided Tornado Bee to 140 in 36 overs. Mary Nanderenga (35 off 105) and Adubu (19 off 66) could hardly take the big chains off their feet. In the end, it was KICC’s fourth loss.

NATIONAL CRICKET LEAGUE
RESULTS - DIVISION ONE
Tornado Bee 140/10 KICC 110/10 
DIVISION TWO
Olila 118/8 Premier 72/10

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When they started out in 2013, it was all about fun. Winning was secondary as everyone in the fraternity was left in daze with how much excitement the floodlights had brought to the oval.

But before they came to Lugogo Cricket Ground, the lights had been an everyday occurrence for the Asian community at Patidar Samaj ground behind UMA Showground in Lugogo.

While there, they played on concrete as Team Wines & Spirits reigned supreme. But the notion by the organisers, Kampala Boys Sports Club, to move the annual competition to the home of cricket in Uganda (Lugogo) in 2014 has proved to be a masterstroke.

Although the passion of players and organisers has remained boundless, the competition has gradually hit new levels with each passing edition of the KBSC Premier League.

“We have put rules that add excitement and make everyone involved,” KBSC chairman Tejas Patel told Daily Monitor. “Before, some teams used to play with only Asians but now each of the franchises must field at least two Ugandan players in each game they play. We have set out to develop Ugandan talent as well.”

In 2013, the winners pocketed Shs5m and the runner’s consolation prize was Shs3m but that rose to Shs7.5m and Shs6m respectively last year. “It will even be bigger this year. At stake for the winner is Shs10m and Shs7.5m for the runner-up. We keep improving the prize money to increase competition. Now we need help from other corporate companies.”

Organising secretary Nirav Patel believes hard ball cricket will be played on these floodlights next season. “Last season, we had eight poles and the lights were 30-feet off the ground. Now they’re 70-feet in the air and we’ve replaced the poles with four permanent towers. Next year we want to bring six towers and put the lights at 100-feet. We want the very best.”

The tournament is played on a 16-over basis per innings but improved to 20 overs from the quarterfinals for this season that ends on August 21.

KBSC NIGHT CRICKET QUARTERS 
Yuva 91/10 G, Lions 94/4
Abacus 127/10 Damani 128/6

FORMER WINNERS 
2013: Wines & Spirits
2014: Wines & Spirits
2015: Aziz Damani

KBSC full committee:
Tejas Patel (chairman), Chirag Dave, Ketan Shukla, Daxesh Patel (assistant treasurer), Divyang Patel (secretary), Ghanshyam Patel (secretary), Hitesh Patel (treasurer), Bharat Patel, Nirav Patel (organizing sec), Ravi Patel, Kalpesh Patel, Sameer Thakkur
Sponsors:
Main sponsor - Aziz Damani, co-sponsors - AMI Africa, TransAfrica Assurance, Britannia Allied Ind Ltd, Krishna Construction Co. Ltd, Alliance Insurance, Jubilee Assurance, Jyoti Motors, Grand Thornton, Shumuk Group, Haandi Restaurant, Tej Uganda Ltd & Uganda Cricket Association.

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The ghosts that haunt Tornado Bee in the National Men’s Twenty20 Cup are not about to stop. Despite dominating the 50-Over League with four straight titles since 2013, they keep staggering in the shorter version of the gentleman’s game.

Sunday marked another low in their T20s. Their morning opponents ACC were awarded a walkover after Tornado Bee fielded an illegal player, Lawrence Ssematimba. “His (Ssematimba) name was mistakenly left off the list and it was only realised when we were going to the field,” a disappointed batsman Nicholas Kebba said.

The afternoon at Lugogo Oval also psychologically tortured Tornado Bee as their contest against Charity Trust Fund got washed out. They have now won two and lost as many in five outings.

Runners-up four-years ago, Charity remained one of the three unbeaten sides including fellow Group A outfits Patidar Samaj and KICC.

While Patidar also decried afternoon downpour that washed out their tie against Jinja SS, they had smiled to a 173-run win over JACC. 
It was set up by Emmanuel Isaneez’s 38-ball 67* and Daniel Batuwa’s 42 off 25 and after setting 207/5, Patidar skipper Ankit Patel stunned JACC’s batsmen with figures of 7/13.

KICC, 2014 runners-up, advanced to the last eight following four-wicket and 50-run wins over Kampala Pirates and Budo in turn. “We grow stronger by the day,” a boastful KICC captain Hanumant Katkar said. To ensure five in five, KICC had Frank Nsubuga (2/5 & 22 off 14) and Arthur Ziraba (38 off 25) to thank in respective ties.

NATIONAL TWENTY20 CUP - SELECTED RESULTS
Tornado Bee vs. ACC
(ACC walkover)
Tornado Bee vs. Charity 
( Washed Out)
Challengers174/7 Avengers 155/6
Wanderers 63/4 Tornado 59/5
Kampala Pirates 81/7 KICC 82/6 
KICC 141/9 Budo 91/5

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Week One of the National Men’s Twenty20 Cup sent out a glimpse of what to expect; ‘boom boom cricket’ like former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi would say.

Yet again, more runs are expected as batsmen attempt to suffocate bowlers again in 10 contests at five different grounds today.
To begin with, 2012 T20 finalists Charity Trust Fund will carry their momentum after earning promotion back to the top tier when they face hosts Jinja SSS and JACC across the Nile River.

Quick runs
“This is a whole different ball game,” Charity’s all-rounder Varinder Singh said of the T20s.

“In this format, it is all about making quick runs on board,” said the man who finished the limited-overs Division Two season with an explosive 62-ball 111* century against ACC on July 17.

Charity, runners-up to Aziz Damani in the lower tier, is without Simon Ssesaazi who recently earned a UK VISA to join teammate Jonathan Ssebanja for a semi-professional stint. Meanwhile, ACC faces holders Patidar Samaj at Kyambogo, the same venue where Tornado Bee will meet KICC later in the afternoon.

Giving chance
The latter trio won all their matches last Sunday and will gear for more of the same. “We are using the T20s’ to give chance to players who didn’t get chance in 50-Over League,” KICC skipper Hanumant Katkar said.

Perhaps, that’s how batsman Hamza Saleh resurfaced after a huge lull with 84* off 48 while beating JACC.
Elsewhere, Nile will do without inspirational budding star Kenneth Waiswa as he Uganda’s U-19s against Zimbabwe youth sides at an Invitational tournament in Harare Sports Club.

NATIONAL MEN’S TWENTY20 CUP
TODAY’S FIXTURES
AT LUGOGO
Strikers vs. Premier, 10.30am
Mwiri vs. Premier, 2pm

AT KYAMBOGO
Patidar vs. ACC, 10.30am
Tornado Bee vs. KICC, 2pm

AT ENTEBBE
Nile vs. Challengers, 10.30am
Wanderers vs. SKLPS, 2pm

AT BUDO
Kutchi Tigers vs. Tornado Bee, 10.30am
Avengers vs. Tornado, 2pm

AT JINJA SS
Jinja SSS vs. Charity TF, 10.30am
Charity TF vs. JACC, 2pm

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Blind cricket has been in Uganda for close to a decade now. Though, an annual countrywide primary schools’ tournament has only taken place for three years.

The latest edition climaxed at Lugogo Hockey grounds yesterday with Mukono-based Salaama School of the Blind and Sir Apollo Kaggwa Nkokonjeru taking part in the final. After playing for over two weeks, the two schools formed franchise sides with Super Heroes, Secret Talent and Ebenezer winning in that order using plastic bats, ball and stumps. “Playing cricket is fun,” said Joseph Asiimwe, a short-sighted primary seven pupil from Salaama.

He and Annet Asiimwe were voted as best players by tournament director Martin Ondeko at the six-aside six-over tournament. But how does he go about it?

“When I hit the ball far, I can’t see it but I follow the sound and then run,” Asiimwe said. “If I am helped, I believe I can play cricket at a bigger stage.” Unfortunately, blind cricket is not part of the disciplines at the Paralymic Games.

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Just three years ago, any contest between sister sides Tornado Bee and Tornado was a top-of-table fixture or a semifinal of a knock-out competition.

These two formed the fabric of the Cricket Cranes then. How times change! Both teams meet today at Lugogo Oval in the Jazz Safari Men’s Division One 50-Over League with contrasting goals. It will be a do-or-die final tie of the limited-overs season as Tornado Bee chase a fourth league title. On the other hand, a depleted Tornado must win to avoid getting relegated for the first time in three decades. “It’s the hardest (game) because both teams badly need the win for success and survival,” Tornado Bee skipper Jeremy Kibuukamusoke said. With 66 points, Tornado Bee lie second and must win to topple leaders Challengers (71).

Victory means they will become the first side in history to win four successive league crowns. “It has been a difficult season but the team has come good at the right time. We want to make history,” chipped in Tornado Bee’s batsman Roger Mukasa.

Mukasa leads the batting charts with 419 runs and is likely to have backing from Obuya brothers Collins and David from Kenya. 
Back-to-back-to-back champions between 2003-05 and 2008-10, record winners Tornado are not resting. “A game of cricket can never be a matter of life and death,” opined Tornado coach Henry Okecho while trying to cool off the pressure.

Sunday Monitor understands Tornado, seventh on 30 points, have as well called in six Kenyans; Ibrahim Akello, Rakep Patel, Dominic Wesonga, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Lameck Onyango and Alex Obanda to save their season. That covers the void left by Mitch Horrocks, who is in Sri Lanka to watch their series with his home country Australia and veteran Benjamin Musoke, out because of family obligations. “We shall throw everything on the line to stay up,” Richard Okia noted. A win for Tornado means Nile (33) joins Wanderers for relegation while Challengers become league champions.

Playing today , 10:30am 
DIV 1: Tornado Bee vs. Tornado, Lugogo
DIV 2: ACC vs. Mwiri, Kyambogo 
DIV 3: JACC vs. Kampala Pirates, Jinja

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