By 
On December 22nd, 2023, Mr. Turinawe Davis, the Development Manager for the Uganda Cricket Association and guest of honor at the Soroti Cricket Academy awards ceremony, showcased his cricketing prowess during the subsequent Soroti Cricket Carnival.
He delivered an impressive half-century, scoring 57 runs off just 25 balls.
However, despite Turinawe’s stellar performance, his team couldn’t secure victory against the Soroti Select XI side.
Adding to the effort, President Richard Oluka, batting at number three, contributed a quick 30 runs off 21 balls.
Unfortunately, the collective performance of the team fell short as they were bundled out for a total of 105 runs in just 10 overs.
Captain Bakunzi Derrick’s team witnessed the return of numerous seasoned players, all geared up to reclaim glory under the Chairman’s banner.
Among them were notable names such as Innocent Ndawula, also known as Padiya, who last showcased his skills for the Ceylon Lions in 2022, and Sajjabi Ivan Cyprian, whose last appearance dates back to his time with the Tornado Cricket Club in 2017.
Adding depth to the team, they also featured specialist players, including the expertise of Indian native Asifu Mohammad and Anayo Christine.
Moreover, in their pursuit of victory, the team was further bolstered by the inclusion of two talented Victoria Pearls players, Janet Mbabazi and Ariokot Malisa.
In the dugout of the Chairman’s XI, the coaching instructions were orchestrated by Mr. Mutyagaba Grace, the Development Manager for the Northern region, who assumed the role of coach.
Assisting him was the Chairman himself, Musana Felix, effectively managing the team’s strategies. Further support came from Mr. Ssekyewa Joseph, the manager for Soroti Cricket Academy.
Given their status as a senior team, the Chairman’s XI opted not to chase but rather elected to bat first.
Heading into their batting innings, their strategic approach was evident: to post a substantial and defendable total. The game plan for the Chairman’s XI was clear – allow the opposition to take singles and maintain a composed demeanor in their approach.
The Chairman’s XI encountered several challenges during the match. The team comprised players who had experienced extended breaks from training, resulting in missteps and crucial dropped catches in the field.
Although the last over coincided with deteriorating light conditions, the senior players did not attribute this factor to their loss. Notably, after six overs, the opposition required only 30 runs to secure victory.
Following a comprehensive team discussion, the subsequent two overs tightened the game. However, the ninth over, bowled by Epiangu Joel, featured wide deliveries that added pressure.
Ultimately, the decision to bring in Oluka Richard to bowl the last over led to a swift conclusion, sealing the game after just four deliveries.
Juma, scoring 41 off 23 deliveries, and Ochen Peter, contributing 47 off 23 balls as openers for the Soroti Select XI, played pivotal roles in steering their team towards a six-wicket victory. Their commendable batting laid the groundwork for the triumph.
On the other side, Ariokot Malisa from the Chairman’s XI managed to claim two wickets. However, despite Malisa’s efforts, it proved insufficient to mitigate the damage caused by the opposition’s strong performance.
Despite the senior side’s defeat, they hold a strong belief that the junior players have ample lessons to learn, anticipating a promising future for them in the realm of cricket.
The team unanimously agreed that their loss stemmed from a collective failure in execution, coupled with the Soroti Select’s superior game reading and mental strength.
The sting of the loss remains palpable, as the team felt that the total they set appeared defendable initially.
However, the Soroti Select’s exceptional performance saw them achieve victory, scoring 110 runs in just 9.4 overs against the Chairman’s XI.
The match between the Select and Chairman’s XI followed two other games, one featuring the Junior teams and the other involving the Senior Girls.
These matches were part of a celebratory event aimed at commemorating excellence and fostering enthusiasm while showcasing the achievements of the Academy.
Line ups
Chairman’s XI
Bakunzi Derrick (C), Turinawe Davis, Innocent Ndawula, Asifu Mohammad, Epiangu Joel, Ssebowa Emmanuel, Oluka Richard, Janet Mbabazi, Ariokot Malisa, Anayo Christine, Sajjabi Ivan Cyprian
Soroti Select XI
Ebulu Ronald (C), Twijukye Emmanuel, Sururu Juma, Ochen Peter, Outeke Gideon, Ogwang Wilfred, Eyaru Joel, Endiro Newton, Malinga Jacob, Ayinebyona Alban, Osakan Christopher
