Centre to be created in Bomet in honour of departed Chepng'etich

Deputy President's Daughter Emily Ruto Playing Cricket at Nairobi Club, Nairobi. PHOTO DAVID NJAAGA

The Kenya Cricket Association has pledged to establish a cricket centre in Bomet in honour of the late Kenya Cricket Women Captain Emmy Chepng'etich Ruto (pictured) who passed on two weeks ago.

Speaking during her burial at Chebara Primary in Bomet County last Saturday, association chairperson Jackie Janmohamed said the centre will be used to promote cricket among the youths.

“As a way of honouring the late Chepng'etich, we want to scout for more talent in both our primary and secondary schools.

“The centre will be responsible for teaching the children from Bomet how to play cricket,” said Janmohamed.

She revealed that seven other centres have been established across the country in Kiambu, Muranga, Machakos, Kakamega, Kisumu and at the Masinde Muliro and Kenyatta universities.

The chairperson also said they have appointed Chepng'etich’s mother, Esther Ruto, the trustee of the centre.

“Because of the love, commitment and dedication the late Chepng'etich had for cricket we want to challenge her mother to help us get another girl who will don the number 8 jersey that the captain used to wear,” said Janmohamed who called on cricket lovers to popularise the game in the county.

Janmohamed who was accompanied by Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association Chair Tom Tikolo and the national cricket team stated that they have retired jersey number 8 in honour of Chepng'etich.

She said the deceased had dreamt of leading the team to play in the World Cup, a feat she pledged the team would strive to achieve in honour of the departed captain.

Chepng'etich, who was fondly referred to as Chepcricket led the T-20 cricket team to an international tournament in Tanzania. She also made history for being the first lady to play in an all men team in 2008.

Meanwhile, Australia head home from Abu Dhabi this week with plenty to ponder after a humiliating rout by Pakistan brought a shuddering halt to their upward trajectory in test cricket.

After the 5-0 Ashes drubbing of England and a dramatic 2-1 series win in South Africa around the New Year, Australia would have returned to the top of the test rankings if they had beaten Pakistan in both matches.