NAIROBI, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Kenya has confirmed that it will honor the call to compete in three nations Women Cricket Tri series in Kampala, Uganda from April 5 to 11.
There were fears the country would miss out after International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended their grants to Kenya over leadership wrangles chocking the team of much needed finances. However, Cricket Kenya (CK) officials have been able to convince the host to allow them compete and will pay later once their situation improves.
The week-long tournament will have teams from Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
"Uganda have allowed us to take part in the event, despite our financial challenges. The team is ready," interim CK officials Tom Tikolo said on Thursday in Nairobi.
The 14-member Kenya squad departs Thursday for Uganda. Kenya will be coached by Lameck Onyango, who has decried the poor preparations his side has been accorded. However, he remained optimistic of doing well in the competition.
"With limited funds, having this team together for two months to train has been the major challenge. Current financial demands and account freeze by ICC has not helped either. It has adversely affected our development program," said Onyango.
However, Tikolo said despite the poor preparation, it was important for Kenya to send the team in a bid to gain the much needed exposure ahead of the forthcoming Women's T20 World Cup qualifiers also double as qualifiers for the 50-over World Cup to be played in Zimbabwe from May 3-13.
Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Tanzania are the other countries that will play at the double qualifier in Harare.
Kenya also lacks a structured league for its teams and most of the players coming through act out of their individual brilliance.
Critics however, say the country has been forced to compete in Uganda as a way to prove to ICC there is cricket competition going on. This they hope will soften ICC stance and allow the resumption of funding. Enditem
