Abhay Sharma, a seasoned Indian coach, has been appointed as the head coach of the Uganda men’s cricket team. This marks a significant milestone for Uganda, as it prepares for its historic debut at the T20 World Cup in June.
Sharma brings a wealth of experience to the role, having coached notable teams in the Indian domestic circuit, including the Delhi Ranji Team, Rest of India, and India A & B in the Deodhar Trophy. He has also served as the fielding coach for the senior India men’s and women’s teams, as well as the India A and India Under-19 men’s teams.
“We selected Abhay Sharma for his strong leadership qualities and impressive track record of success at professional and international levels,” said Jackson Kavuma, secretary of the Uganda Cricket Association (UCA). “His coaching stints with notable teams demonstrate his deep understanding of the game and ability to nurture players.”
Sharma expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and his commitment to the team’s aspirations. “I am very grateful to UCA for this opportunity to work with a bunch of talented national cricketers,” he said. “Having been in Uganda for just a couple of days, it already feels like my second home.”
“I am here to contribute to the team’s aspirations, which include defeating the top sides in the world in the upcoming World Cup,” Sharma added. “Additionally, I intend to focus on the development team and work with as many young cricketers to build numbers.”
Uganda Cricket has made significant strides in the past year, but Sharma identified areas for improvement, particularly in fielding. “What I have read in the newspapers and what I have seen in the data is that we have lost a couple of opportunities in the field,” he said. “And yet even after missing out on those chances, we still qualified for the World Cup!”
“Imagine how much better we can perform if we address these lapses,” Sharma continued. “With enhanced game awareness and mental fortitude, we can compete with the world’s best teams on any given day.”
Uganda allrounder Alpesh Ramjani welcomed Sharma’s appointment, saying, “His experience is a fortune for us. It is definitely going to help us in the World Cup, as well as for the development of the players individually.”
At the T20 World Cup, Uganda will face formidable opponents in Group C, including Afghanistan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and West Indies. They will kick off their campaign on June 4 against Afghanistan in Guyana.
