The 2019 edition of The Hayer One Star Field Youth Cricket League is set to kick off on Wednesday 21st August with the Uganda national under-19 cricket team to defend their title.
The Ugandan team is back in Nairobi to defend its title in the third edition of the annual tourney. Matches will be played at various venues throughout the city, culminating in the finals on Sunday, 25 August at Nairobi Gymkhana.
Building on the success of 2018, a total of 34 teams and 450 young players have entered the Under-9, Under-11, Under-13, Under-15 in addition to the Under-19 category which was the main category last year. These players are drawn from Uganda, Nairobi, Nakuru, and Mombasa covering national, provincial, clubs and school teams. Both boys and girls are playing in each of the categories.
Clubs and schools hosting the youth league and putting their facilities to good use this week include Nairobi Gymkhana, Sikh Union Sports Club, Ruaraka Sports Club, Sir Ali Muslim Club, Nairobi Jaffrey’s Sports Club, Peponi Secondary School, and Jamhuri High School.
The Kenyan teams have been prepared for the tournament by coaches from Star Field Sports. Speaking at the launch of the tournament Veer Dave, a member of the Kenya Star Field Sports Directors said that the Kenyan teams have what it takes to strip Uganda of the title. He warned the Ugandan team to expect stiff competition.
Star Field Sports, organisers of this youth cricket bonanza recently formed a strategic partnership with Gary Kirsten Cricket (GKC) of South Africa. The Hayer One Star Field Youth Cricket League 2019 will be a showcase of their efforts, having hosted a High-Performance Coaching Camp with GKC in April this year.
Title sponsor Hayer One is joined by Co-sponsor Crown Paints Kenya this year with additional sponsorship from Executive Healthcare Solutions, MacCoffee, Muthaiga Travel, and All Pack.
Crown Paints General Manager Abhijit Roy said that the tournament is an amazing opportunity for Kenyan Cricket to grow and get back to where it was. Mr. Roy said he recalls the glory days of Kenya as he has been an ardent cricket fan for as long as he can remember.
“We expect the standard to be very high this year, especially after the successful High-Performance Camp which attracted 105 children. We are delighted the defending champions, Uganda Under-19s are in Nairobi this week. Budding cricketers are also expected from Cricket Kenya Development sides from Homa Bay, Nairobi, Nakuru Counties. Cricket associations from Uganda, Coast and the East Africa Cricket and Development Foundation have also sent teams,” Star Field Sports Director, Karan Kaul said,
The Finals on Sunday will be open to all, and the organisers have put on a Festival of Cricket including entertainment and catering for all ages taking place at Nairobi Gymkhana. Grounds open at 9 am. The medal ceremony is scheduled for 6 pm. Entry is free.
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