Nationwide girls’s cricket group head coach Leonard Nhamburo has promised fearless cricket as Rwanda prepares to compete within the twelfth version of the Kwibuka Ladies's T20 Event, scheduled for June 10-20 in Kigali.
The match will function 5 groups: Rwanda, Nigeria, Brazil, Malawi, and the Zimbabwe Excessive Efficiency Centre (HPC).
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A complete of 14 matches shall be performed at Gahanga Worldwide Cricket Stadium and the adjoining Gahanga B Floor, with the ultimate set for June 20.
Talking forward of the competitors, Nhamburo mentioned the group enters the match in fine condition following latest worldwide engagements, together with an invitational match in Nigeria.
“We discovered lots,” she mentioned. “We recognized what we have to hold, what we have to enhance, and what we have to add to our recreation.”
Nhamburo mentioned Rwanda's goal is to reclaim the title on dwelling soil.
“Our aim is to win this match for the second time. We gained it in 2023 and we wish to obtain that once more in 2026,” she famous.
Whereas acknowledging the standard of the opposition, she expressed confidence in her group's capability to compete.
“Zimbabwe HPC, Brazil, Nigeria, and Malawi are all robust groups. They aren’t light-weight opponents, however we are going to play fearless and aggressive cricket towards everybody.”
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The coach additionally welcomed the chance to host worldwide groups in Kigali.
“We’re very completely happy these groups are coming to take part. Their presence helps us enhance {our relationships} throughout Africa and around the globe whereas giving our gamers helpful competitors.”
Rwanda Cricket Common Supervisor Emmanuel Byiringiro highlighted the rising significance of the match for each Rwanda and Africa.
“The Kwibuka Event has turn out to be one of the vital vital tournaments for ladies's cricket in Africa,” he mentioned.
“For Rwanda, it gives our nationwide gamers with common worldwide competitors and helps speed up their improvement and publicity. For different rising cricket nations, it provides a helpful platform to compete, acquire worldwide expertise, and enhance their rankings.”
The match, which commemorates the victims of the 1994 Genocide towards the Tutsi, continues to hold a message past sport.
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“Kwibuka sends a powerful and highly effective message that sport is usually a power for unity, hope, and the longer term. It exhibits that our nation can keep in mind its previous whereas constructing a brighter future,” Byiringiro added.
This 12 months's competitors will happen in a double round-robin T20 format, with every group dealing with the others twice. The highest two groups will advance to the ultimate, whereas the third and fourth-placed sides will compete in a third-place playoff.
Byiringiro mentioned the usual of competitors continues to enhance.
“The groups have gotten extra skilled and the standard of cricket continues to rise. We count on shut matches, robust particular person performances, and a extremely aggressive surroundings.”
Key dates for Rwanda
June 11: Rwanda vs Malawi
June 12: Rwanda vs Brazil
June 14: Rwanda vs Zimbabwe HPC
June 15: Rwanda vs Nigeria
June 18: Rwanda vs Brazil
June 20: Closing
