Their football team is yet to seal a Fifa World Cup berth, but the cricketers are all set to make their big stage debut with a maiden appearance in the T20 World Cup.
That's the story of Uganda. Or the Cricket Cranes, as their cricket team is fondly called. They begin their campaign against Afghanistan at the Providence on June 3 (6am IST on June 4).
Football is a far more popular sport in this East African nation. The cricketing infrastructure in the country isn't up to standard yet. Still, the side led by Brian Masaba (leg-spinner all-rounder) took the odds in their strides, focused on the job ahead and were bang on in terms of execution.
The Ugandans shocked a much higher-placed Zimbabwe — who also have more experience in international cricket — in the Africa Region Qualifier last year by five wickets, finishing second on the seven-team points table, which earned them their first-ever T20 Cup berth. Namibia, the toppers, were the only team Uganda lost to in that qualifier competition.
"This (infrastructure) is a big challenge we have and we operate on low budget, of course. We have had below-standard facilities, but we've always managed to make the best use of what has been available to us. The association (Cricket Uganda) has plans to build grounds, which is promising for further growth of cricket in our country," Uganda's assistant coach Jackson Ogwang Oyuko said ahead of their warm-up game against Scotland at Tarouba on Thursday.
Back home, there are two grounds in the capital Kampala, while the Ugandans also play in three more grounds in Jinja, Mpigi and Entebbe.
One common aspect in most of these ICC associate member teams is the presence of Indian and Pakistani-origin players and also those from other top-tier sides who are no longer considered for selection by their respective countries. Uganda's vice-captain Riazat Ali Shah, a 26-year-old right-handed batsman, hails from Gilgit in Pakistan. But besides Riazat, only four others with a South Asian connect are part of the team.
The head coach of the team, too, is an Indian — former India 'A' and India U-19 fielding coach Abhay Sharma. But the rest of the 10 cricketers in the squad are all home-grown and come from very humble backgrounds. That underlines the growing popularity of cricket in the nation.
"The development programme of our association is bearing fruits in terms of producing and giving chances to home-grown talent to prosper. The programme focuses on introducing cricket at grassroots and making sure these young talents are monitored through different age-group tournaments, including the U-19 ones," Jackson emphasised.
Coaches from South Africa, including former Proteas top-order batsman Peter Kirsten (in 2015-16), have imparted cricketing knowledge and training to aspiring cricketers in Uganda, Jackson stated. "But first and foremost, the game has grown because of its spread to different learning institutions and schools in different regions of our country. Previously, the game was only in Central Uganda, but now we have hubs in all the different regions.
"Secondly, the support of our neighbours Kenya and Rwanda in terms of (organising) regional tournaments and the provision of quality series and engagements by Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa have also been beneficial. They have offered coaching and training in umpiring as well," the assistant coach explained.
Currently in the Caribbean, the Ugandans have had their experience of practising under lights as well.
The Cranes are ready to take flight on wings of ambition.
