Sports is one of many activities that have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many international tournaments postponed by the ICC with the only remaining tournaments awaiting the final decision on June 30th.
Like the saying in cricket goes another one bites the dust, the 2020 Kwibuka tournament has been cancelled.
Held at the majestic Gahanga International Stadium just outside Kigali, the annual tournament sees women’s teams from regional neighbours Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania competing against the hosts in an event designed to continue the healing process for the young nation, commemorating those lost and the many affected by the atrocities committed in Rwanda in 1994.
The sixth edition in 2019 had two newcomers, and Tanzania were crowned champions in their maiden appearance. Fellow debutantes Mali made headlines after heavy defeats to Uganda and Tanzania, including the first – and still only – team score to break 300 by Uganda when Proscovia Alako and Rita Musamali also set a record partnership of 227 against the West Africans.
An event that has grown in stature year on year, the 2020 event was supposed to continue the trend in offering an opportunity for girls and women in the region to able to compete against each other in their national colours.
Due to the global pandemic that makes travel difficult for not just teams but everyone Rwanda Cricket Association has chosen to holdover the tournament until 2021. Another reason for the postponement was the guidelines issued by the government of Rwanda that will allow the resumption of sports activities in August.
With very little activity for ladies cricket on the African continent there is little or nothing left for ladies cricket this year. This redundancy affects the players greatly with most moving on to do other sports or choosing to live their lives by starting families or concentrating on their studies.
4th paragraph corrected 26 May to reflect correct numbers of events thus far.
