The ICC Women's Challenge Trophy will be staged in Kigali for the first time, with head coach Leonard Nhamburo and his Rwandan side already stepping up preparations ahead of the tournament, scheduled for April 18 to May 1 at Gahanga Cricket Stadium. For Rwanda, hosting the competition goes beyond the pursuit of results as it represents a major milestone in the development of cricket in the country. ALSO READ: Cricket: Rwanda set for semi final clash at invitational tourney in “The ICC Women’s Challenge Trophy is more than just a tournament for Rwanda; it is a defining moment for our cricket journey,” said Sonia Uwimana, Vice-President of the Rwanda Cricket Association. “It gives our players a global platform, strengthens our position in international cricket, and, most importantly, accelerates the growth of women’s cricket in our country.” The tournament will feature five nations—United States, Italy, Nepal, Vanuatu, and hosts Rwanda—all competing for international recognition. Building on momentum Rwanda heads into the tournament on the back of a strong campaign at the Nigeria Invitational, where they reached the final before losing to the hosts. With home advantage, Nhamburo’s side will be aiming to build on that momentum and continue their upward trajectory. The coach faces selection headache, but record-breaking teenager Fanny Utagushimaninde, along with experienced figures such as captain Diane Bimenyimana, Gisele Ishimwe, and Henriette Ishimwe, are expected to play key roles. The team is currently training daily at the RP-Kigali College Cricket Oval as they fine-tune preparations for the event.
