2003 ICC World Cup class honoured as Cricket Kenya launches T20 League

Former Kenya national team players who took part in the famed 2003 ICC World Cup, reaching the semifinals, display their trophies during the launch of the Cricket Kenya T20 League in Nairobi on Wednesday that is set to bowl off on November 7,2025 at the Nairobi Gymkhana. [Photo: Jonah Onyango, Standard] Kenyan legends who participated in the historic 2003 ICC World Cup were honoured in Nairobi this week during the launch of the high-profile Cricket Kenya T20 League (CKT20), set to commence in the Kenyan capital on November 7, 2025. The former players were appreciated on Wednesday for their effort to make it to the semi-finals in the World Cup showdown that was co-hosted by Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The blazing class of former world beaters were also each bestowed with a trophy and Sh100,000. The legends rewarded included Maurice Odumbe, Martin Suji, Peter Ong'ondo, Morris Ouma and Tony Suji. Others were Elijah Otieno, Rajab Ali and the Obuya brothers David, Kennedy and Collins. The former internationals will serve as Tournament Ambassadors for the lucrative CKT20 League that will be contested by six franchises, namely Nairobi Challengers, Simba Royals, Mombasa Wildebeests, Kisumu Tuskers, Rhino Hitters and the Masai Mara Warriors. Apart from identifying, harnessing and nurturing of talents, the league is also meant to honour the Kenya National Cricket teams of 1996-2003. The 25-day intense showdown that will be held at the Nairobi Gymkhana and is supported by Dubai/India-based sports promotional outfit AOS Sport Tournament, in a five-year deal totalling Sh255 Million, will feature world-class test players from across the globe whose auctioning will commence in October. Each participating franchise is allowed to have six foreign players at any given fixture, while the rest are local. The showpiece will take the format of the famed Indian Premier League (IPL) to thrill fans and spectators. "I'm grateful to be part of this launch and process. This tournament is going to have a huge impact on Kenyan sports. I'm a product of cricket; I still make a living out of it. It is a game that has taken me to places. It's the reason why I'm proud to welcome this expected exciting competition at home," former national team captain Kennedy Obuya told Standard Sports. "We are happy that the Government is fully involved, the tournament is going to change how we improve sports in this country, as it is going to give local players the chance to showcase their talents in a platform that will also be beamed to the outside world," said Obuya, who also doubles as CK Treasurer. " The tournament is going to have an unmatched international flavour, as top global players will be engaged after their bidding, which is set for October. There will be exciting prizes, but it's not about the money; it's about getting young and upcoming players to showcase their talents and skills to the rest of the globe," explained Obuya, who is also the Cricket Kenya Counties Representative. Another Kenyan legend, Martin Suji, says the CKT20 League will pave the way for the next generation of players, who are expected to take the legacy left by the former world beaters to greater heights. "We need such games, we need these kind of tournaments for our young players to grow in the sport. "If we can emulate the IPL here, then our cricket will go back to those levels of 2003," noted Suji, who was happy to be reunited with his former teammates after a protracted hiatus. "I started playing this game when I was nine, now I have reached 'fifth floor', so I feel good to be reunited and honoured together with former team-mates I glob trotted the world with in our heydays," Suji said. AOS Sport Tournament Chairman Chandra Prakash Panwar acknowledged his collaboration with CK to make the lucrative CKT20 League a reality. "Our commitment is to bring high-quality cricket to Kenya, and we thank the Government for giving this tournament a clean bill of health," Panwar underlined. "I urge the participating players to put their best foot forward, to showcase their best while at the same time entertaining the crowd. "We promise fans a competition that will drive them to the edge of their seats. It will be more than a cricket tournament, it will be a platform to display, identify and harness talents," he added. Nairobi County Executive Committee Member for Sports Brian Mulama hailed the concept of the tournament stating: "This tournament celebrates two different generations. The players who brought Kenya glory between 1996 and 2003, and the youth who will get a chance to achieve their dreams of representing Kenya and restore the country's place on the global cricket map." UTILITIES The CKT20 League franchises 1. Nairobi Challengers 2. Simba Royals 3. Mombasa Wildebeests 4. Kisumu Tuskers Rhino Hitters Masai Mara Warriors. Cricket Kenya/ AOS Sport Tournament Sh Sh255 Million contractual agreement breakdown 2025: USD 300,000 (Sh38 million) 2026: USD 350,000 (Sh 45 Million) 2027: USD 400,000 (Sh51 Million) 2028: USD 450,000 (Sh 57 Million) 2029: USD 500,000 (Sh64 Million)

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