Victoria Pearls captain Aweko is upbeat ahead of Kwibuka to avoid losing to lower-ranked nations

Consy Aweko, captain of the Victoria Pearls, is optimistic that her side will be able to challenge for the Kwibuka cricket tournament in Kigali.

The all-rounder is part of the 14-woman squad that set out on Thursday morning to Kigali, and she states that the preparations have been good, especially strength and conditioning and other areas like batting and agility while fielding.

“We have prepared well, working on several things like batting and agility to the field; our strength and conditioning coach has also done well,” Aweko told Pulse Sports.

“What will be key for us is to avoid losing to the lower ranked teams and play without pressure as we learn along the way.”

The Victoria Pearls will be up against defending champions Kenya, hosts Rwanda, Nigeria and Botswana

Uganda has won the tournament twice, in 2014 and 2016. Still, it heads into the showpiece, having won two competitions, the Victoria series hosted in Kampala and the Capricorn Quadrangular series in Namibia, both in May.

The team also has three debutants from the U-19 cricket team captain Jamia Mohammed, Malisa Ariokot and Lorna Anyait; Aweko adds that everyone on the team will help them settle in well.

“It’s good to have them part of the team; everyone on the team will do anything possible to help them settle in well; I know they’re going to give everything for the team,” she noted.

The Kwibuka cricket tournament, which gets underway on Saturday, is one of many events created in Rwanda commemorating the international day of reflection on the 1994 genocide against the Tusi in Rwanda, one of the darkest chapters in human history.

The Final 14: Consy Aweko (Captain), Janet Mbabazi, Phiona Khulume, Kevin Awino, Irene Alumo, Proscovia Alako, Patricia Malemikia, Immaculate Nakisuyi, Stephanie Nampiina, Evelyn Anyipo, Rita Musamali, Malisa Ariokot, Lorna Anyait, Jimia Mohammad.

Officials: Lawrence Ssematimba (Head Coach), Lawrence Ssempijja (Assistant Coach), Tugume Imam (Physiotherapist), Edgar Kazibwe (Psychologist), Deus Muhumuza (Analyst), Denis Musali (Media Manager), Mary Nakinga (Team Manager).