Simba Union,Uganda Select to defend their titles at the Obuya Youth cricket

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Simba Union and Uganda Select are hoping to successfully defend their titles in the seventh edition of the Obuya Youth cricket tournament that kicks off at various venues in Nairobi on Wednesday.

Simba Union will be looking to topple 15 other contestants for the Under-17 title they won against Obuya Academy X1 in last year’s finals.

Likewise, Uganda’s Select will be defending their Under-13 honours that they snatched from  Samaj  School while Obuya Academy are out to contest in  the Under-11 category.

Participating teams   drawn from Kampala, Kisumu, Nakuru and Nairobi will compete in the annual junior tournament that has attracted 30 clubs. The tournament is scheduled to end this Saturday.

Various categories

Categories to be contested in the event sponsored by Airtel Kenya, Crown Berger, Megh Singh Cushions, Red Cross Australia and Kenindia Insurance are Under- 11, Under-13,  under-17 and Under-19.

The competition will be staged at the Nairobi Jaffreys School, Simba Union Club, Premier Club, Ruaraka, Gymkhana and Sir Ali Muslim Club. It will be played in the 20/20 format.

“This tournament has been at the forefront of nurturing youth talent.

“Our products from this academy have turned up for various age groups on  national teams, with the most recent being Pepsi Cola Under-19 World Cup qualifiers in Kampala, Uganda, recently where we had six of our players in the national team,” tournament director David Obuya told FeverPitch.

“We have more than ten players playing for various sides in the ongoing East Africa Cricket League,” Obuya added while thanking the Government for its immense support of the Obuya Cricket Academy.

Coaching expert

Red Cross Australia has enabled the tournament organisers to acquire the services of Floyd Doyle, an international youth coaching expert, who will offer his services not only to the academy but to the various teams that are participating.

While announcing their sponsorship, Airtel Kenya Managing Director Shivan Bhargava reiterated his company’s commitment to the promotion of sports among Kenya’s youth.

“We are committed to supporting the development of sports in the country and we will be aiding more sporting initiatives aimed at nurturing talent among youth,” he said.