Cricket continues to develop in Rwanda

The Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA) marked the 10-year anniversary of its inception with a gala dinner to raise funds for a new cricket ground. At the event, the Minister of Sport pledged that the government would support the endeavour to create a ground that could attract international matches to the country.

“We are all very proud of this accomplishment and we are grateful to our supporters who helped us get here,” said RCA president Charles Haba. “A decade after its founding, the Rwanda Cricket Association now boasts of over 1000 registered cricket players and 11 competitive clubs.”

He added that the progress of the development program has been very encouraging and pointed out that there are more than 15 secondary schools playing cricket, more tournaments being arranged and a tremendous improvement in the quality of cricket being played.

Rwanda’s main cricket ground at Kicukiro is undergoing a major facelift and Haba also strongly hinted that RCA was looking to expand its programmes.

“We intend to put up one new ground every year for the next two years. 2011 is going to be very busy with the introduction of an improved and more competitive senior women’s league and an annual tourney for the four universities that will spice up the already action-packed calendar.”

RCA was approved by the Ministry of Sport in December 2000 and Rwanda became an Affiliate member of the ICC in June 2003.