506061 Kampala
ICC Intercontinental Shield
Uganda v Nambia
Uganda Cricket Association were left cutting a ‘hands-on-head’ posture appealing to the International Cricket Council (ICC) after the latter moved their Intercontinental Shield home fixture with Namibia to Windhoek.
This development comes as a result of the July 11 bombings at Ethiopian Village in Kabalagala and Kyadondo Rugby Football Grounds (KRFC) where soccer lovers were watching the 2010 World Cup final from. Terrorist group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility of the attack.
UCA’s Chief Executive Officer Justine Ligyalingi, in a restrained tone, told AFRAN Cordinator Uganda Nasser, that everything possible had been done to retain the fixture at Lugogo Oval in Kampala but the powers that be in ICC had put their feet down.
“We have made an effort in vain and will make another plea to ensure that ICC reverses this decision. We even went at length to furnish ICC, after consultations with our government, with a security plan to be followed to ensure safety.
Unfortunately it seems the matter is beyond our control,” said Ligyalingi.
Whereas many critiques have reasoned that ICC are trying to make up for a non-financial debt they owe Namibia, everything points in that direction.
ICC dumped the South-West African nation from their Intercontinental Cup status on pretty shabby grounds last year and also excluded them from next year’s World T20 Cup Qualifiers to the benefit of the essentially unqualified USA, who are potential money-makers for the ICC in future.
ACSU advice
In a letter dated July 20, ICC’s competitions and women’s cricket officer, David Thorley, wrote: “ We have followed due process in this situation, and sought the advice of the ICC Anti-Corruption & Security Unit (ACSU) who said it would not be appropriate at present to hold an international cricket match in Uganda.”
“ACSU has informed me that it will reassess the situation in approximately three months time,” concluded Ligyalingi. Although still hard done, Uganda will be hoping ICC can change their stand.
