The Lady Cricket Cranes celebrated International Women's Day with the juveniles at the Naguru Teenage Remand Home. The visit part of the Corporate Social Responsibility and an avenue of using sports for social good.
The ladies were in the company of their male counterparts who were led by their head coach Laurence Mahatlane and team captain Brian Masaba. The delegation from Uganda Cricket Association was led by Uganda Cricket Association board chairman Ansasira Bashir, female board representative Mrs. Mary Nanderenga Makumbi, and CEO Martin Ondeko.
The team was received by the officer in charge of the home Mrs. Maria Kyomugisha and commissioner for the youth in the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and social development Mr. Fred Ngabirano.
The cricket team was given a guided tour of the facility by Mrs. Maria Kyomugisha that included visiting the backyard gardening activities at the home, their living space as well as the playground. The visiting group split up into two groups that helped skill the juveniles in soap making and introduction to cricket.
The visiting cricket team was given a guided tour of the Naguru Remand Home
The commissioner from the Ministry of Gender was very happy about the visit by cricket and this is what he had to say
We are very happy that the Uganda Cricket team has come to visit us, when we received this request even if it was on short notice we made sure it happens because there was no harm in it being approved. We have done this before with FUFA and we know the impact of Sports in the lives of these children. This gesture goes a long way in the rehabiliattion of a child, they know that even if they are here people outside are still thinking about them. We would like to build on this relationship and take it to the other homes we have in Arua, Mbale, Gulu and Moroto. We know this is the begining of great things and we shall use our resources to help mobilise the youth for cricket so that they can be skilled.
Mr Fred Ngabirano commissioner in Ministry of Gender receiving a cricket cranes replica from UCA Chairman Bashir Ansasira
On behalf of the Uganda Cricket Association, Chairman Ansasira Bashir said
As an association we work alot with young children, they are the foundation for our game. Therefore we found it prudent to join hands with partners such as the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social development. We want to give hope to these children that the world is not shut on them, we care for them and they could be the next best cricketers for Uganda. We appreciate the fact that the ministry is looking at taking this to other care facilities and we shall no doubt be ready to spread the game.
The group then enjoyed a game of rapid-fire cricket that was concluded by lunch and cake cutting.
