Press Release;
Appointment of Suraj Karavadra As Lady Cricket Cranes Head Coach.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Suraj Karavadra as the Head Coach of the Lady Cricket Cranes. As an organization, it has been our mission to make sure that we raise the level of our ladies’ team to make sure that they are given the best opportunity to compete on the global stage. We are confident that Suraj will help take our ladies to the next level.
In 2017, our team has crowned the queens of Africa in Namibia earning themselves an opportunity to compete against the best at the global qualifiers in the Netherlands in 2018. That remains the highlight of the lady cricket cranes, and that is something we want to make a constant.
The competition on the continent is very tight and our rivals are also improving year in year out; therefore we have to swim with the tide to stay competitive.
The priority for the lady cricket cranes will be the T20 World Cup qualifiers due in September in Botswana and, the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The team started training two months ago under the guidance of UCA Development Manager Davis Turinawe taking charge of the group in Kampala while Ivan Kakande took charge of the group in Soroti.
UCA’s CEO Martin Ondeko had this say about Suraj’s appointment;
"We are happy to appoint Suraj for the position of Head Coach for the women. He has a lot of experience in working with women. He also has experience in working in different countries and we believe he has the right expertise to make the women's team a force to reckon with."
Suraj Karavadra brings a wealth of experience to Uganda Cricket having worked with various organizations in the same role. We believe his experience will not only benefit the lady cricket cranes but influence the whole ecosystem for women’s cricket in Uganda. Suraj is no stranger to Uganda. He is a fourth-generation Ugandan tracing his roots in the eastern town of Jinja where his great grandfather settled to do business. This is, therefore, more than an assignment for him rather than an opportunity for him to make a contribution to his motherland.
Suraj Karavadra is excited about his appointment
“I am very excited to be working with a group of very talented cricketers. My passion has always been for Women's Cricket, helping them cross boundaries, become stronger, and reach new heights. I want the team to feel inspired, to push boundaries further than ever, and as a team, reach a whole new level of success. I can't wait to get started, to get to know the team, to dive into the culture, to apply my knowledge and experience, and to continue the incredible legacy that The Lady Cricket Cranes have already created”.
We expect Suraj to start his assignment next week when he arrives from his base in the UK. We look forward to having a successful period together.
Previous Experience:
1. 2011 Porbandar District Cricket Association, India - U16 Head Coach
2. 2013 - 2015 Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club - Community Cricket Coach
● Assisted EPP Programmes, U17 Nottinghamshire Girls, U14 Nottinghamshire Boys, and Sub- County U13.
3. 2014 Porbandar District Cricket Association, India - Head Coach Men’s Team
4. 2015 -2017 Buckinghamshire Cricket Board - Cricket Development Officer
● Coached throughout County Pathway (U11 - U17), Head Coach U15 Buckinghamshire Girls, Lead EPP Wicket Keeping
5. 2017 - 2020 ICC Academy, Dubai - High Performance and Development Coach
● Coach throughout the Development Pathway and Performance Pathway, Created and led the Women and Girls Program, Led Masterclasses in Batting/Bowling/Fielding/ WK, Lecturer on the ICC Coach Education Courses and Wicket Keeping Modules. 1:1 Sessions with County players and International Players.
6. 2018 - 2019 - UAE Cricket
● Working with UAE Men’s, Women’s, U19, and Women’s development
● UAE U19 Wicket Keeping Coach - Preparing Wicket Keepers for U19 Asia Cup.
7. 2020 - Leicestershire County Cricket Club - Assistant Women's Head Coach
● Lead Coach on Batting and Fielding
● Working with U18 Girls and Women's Team
