Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA) will host the second edition of the Kwibuka Cricket for Peace women’s Twenty20 tournament from June 12-14 at the Kicukiro cricket stadium. This year’s edition has attracted neighbours Uganda and Kenya with the Ugandans aiming to defend their title. However, the hosts are upbeat to win the trophy in front of home fans. “Playing at home gives us an advantage because we do well with home support. We have people who will be telling us what to do and how to approach the game and that for us is a benefit,” explained right hand batsman Mary Maina, one of the experienced players on the team. According to the 22-year-old Maina, her teammates will approach this tournament cautiously to avoid a repeat of last year’s performance where they won just one of the four round-robin games against Uganda. Maina said, “We are going to be very careful with both teams especially Kenya because we do not know how they play. However, we shall give every game our best and we hope to win the event.” All the three teams will face each other in a round-robin basis with the winner bagging four points and in case of a tie on the table standings, the winner will be decided by the net run rate. The 17-member squad started training on Tuesday at the Kicukiro cricket ground under the stewardship of Coach Eric Hirwa. Team list: Sarah Uwera, Diane Bimenyimana, Cathia Uwamahoro, Pacifique Nyirandorimana, Antoinette Mbabazi, Jeanne d’Arc Akingeneye, Josée Umuhoza, Betty Mukunzi, Mary Maina, Claudine Uwase, Vestine Byukusenge, Véronique Iriho, Margaret Vumilia, Grace Byukusenge, Muhawenimana Immacule, Flora Irakoze and Ange Nicole Igihozo. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
