THE Rwanda Cricket Association in partnership with Sorwathe launched cricket in Rulindo Northern Province over the weekend.

Launching the sport, Sri Lankan born Sorwathe Limited Director General Peiris Rohith said that, "Cricket is a lovely game for youngsters and we want to promote it in the whole of Northern Province starting with Kinihira.”

 Dubbed "Cricket goes to Kinihira”, the project was funded by Sorwathe.  Rohith further added that employees from his tea firm as well as over 600 students from surrounding schools around the factory will benefit from the sport.

The Rulindo District, Deputy Mayor in charge of economic affairs Prosper Mulindwa said that the district will mobilise the youth to engage in the sport and outshine teams from Kigali where the sport is popular.

The RCA General Manager Joshua Mwanja hailed the venture expected to expand RCA’s schools’ development programme and increase the level of competitiveness in the game.

He explained their goal is to have schools playing soft ball cricket competitions in two years before they can gradually move onto hard ball cricket in the third year. "In four years, we want to see a school from Kinihira in the boys and girls schools cricket week and in five years we want to see a team from the north in the national league,” added Mwanja.

The development will all start with 10 Sorwathe Limited staff, five primary and five secondary schools. Four teachers from each school have already undergone training in the basics of cricket and are expected to pass it on to their students.

Cricket is mostly centered in the capital Kigali, where most of the national games and teams can be found.