The final day of ICC World Cricket League Division Three tournament round-robin has ended today with Uganda being relegated on home soil, failing to secure its status as an ICC High Performance Programme (HPP) nation to attract increased funding from the ruling body.
Three years ago, relegation meant that Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) missed out on a lucrative ICC High Performance Programme (HPP) funding of $350,000 (Shs876m).
But after recovering from losses to Canada and Oman to beat Singapore and Malaysia respectively, the Uganda Cricket Cranes Monday lost their final Division 3 match by 13 runs to the USA, and have been relegated to the Fourth Division in 2018.
Following Uganda’s drop, the United States and Singapore will remain in this division while Oman and Canada will play the final tomorrow and have been promoted to Division 2 joining UAE, Scotland, Papupa New Guinea, Hong Kong, Kenya, Netherlands, Namibia and Nepal.
Fans are calling for Uganda’s Kenyan coach Steve Tikolo to be fired by Uganda Cricket Association after the devastating relegation after he failed to select and use his visibly talented side well. Most of the players in the current side, nine of the 14 named by coach Steve Tikolo have been part of the side for at least eight years, describe each other brothers.
A hashtag ##TikoloOut is gaining momentum on social media meant to pressurize UCA to let go of Tikolo, 45, a former Kenya cricketer, and a former One Day Internationals’ captain. Widely regarded as the greatest Kenyan cricketer ever and has scored the most runs and taken the second most wickets for the team in ODI’s.
After such a performance I don’t want any reporter sugar coating anything..this is pathetic!!!
— Diana Musiime (@mus_dia) May 29, 2017
There is no excuse that Tikolo can give to explain our disappointing performance. He should resign before he is fired. #TikoloOut
— Brian (@bkyeyune) May 29, 2017
BTW, this mentality of Uganda Coaches (all sports) choosing old players over youngsters that are performing better has Fcuked up our sports.
— Brian (@bkyeyune) May 29, 2017
The quality of coaches seems poor throughout, wouldn’t have mattered regardless. You can’t expect miracles if you don’t play often https://t.co/8rQKKHng6q
— Roland Semakula (@fmrsema) May 29, 2017
From 105/5 to 114/8!!!! The Cricket Cranes are collapsing in Entebbe. Time to ask weather Tikolo should be sacked #ICCWCL3UG
— Phil Kirya (@PhilKirya) May 29, 2017
@JKwebiiha @robertmadoi It’s a sad day for Uganda Cricket. #ICCWCL3UG But it’s how we respond that will be the real test.
— PoteII (@PaulKaheru) May 29, 2017
Uganda relegated. Let it sink in, folks…#ICCWCL3UG pic.twitter.com/UWP71f7zSA
— Robert Madoi (@robertmadoi) May 29, 2017
