CRICKET While the stadium will act as a home for the elite level game in Rwanda, Alby stresses the facility’s importance to the wider community. Cricket is the fastest-growing sport in Rwanda, but other recreational activities will take place in an adjacent multi-

The Rwandan women’s team is a lot more competitive than the men’s team on the international stage

use venue, which will include tennis courts, a swimming pool and a gym.

HIV awareness. They’ll also invite cricketers

Alby adds that the “amazing journey” will

“Yes, we are creating an elite facility that

and coaches down to the refugee camps to

be captured on a documentary broadcast

checks the necessary International Cricket

promote the sport as a medium through

by Sky TV next February, and he hopes that

Council (ICC) boxes for hosting international

which to solve social issues.

the interest will highlight the disparity of resources across the cricketing world.

matches, however it was designed to be a free access facility,” he says.

RWANDAN WOMEN EXCEL

“Cricket in England is in good hands, but

“People outside of the cricket fraternity

Although cricket is traditionally viewed as a

as a global infrastructure I think it leaves

can benefit, and we have forged a

male game, Alby reveals that the foundation

a lot to be desired,” he says. “You’ve got

partnership with the Surf Survivors

is trying to get as many Rwandan women

England, Australia and India who control

Fund, which supports the survivors of

and girls involved as possible, with current

the game and a lot of the time the minnows

genocide, through community projects and

figures already looking encouraging.

of the sport get forgotten. Our patrons

Of the 15,000-20,000 regular cricket

are passionate about trying to help out

Working with charity Cricket Without

players in the country, 5,000 are female, and

a country that has a lot of enthusiasm

Boundaries, RCSF will work with 35,000

Alby says that the Rwandan women’s team

for sport, but just doesn’t have enough

urban refugees from the Rwandan capital

is a “lot more competitive than the men’s

representation on the world stage to get

of Kigali to teach them cricket and promote

team on the international stage”.

funding and infrastructure.” ●

reconciliation through sport.”

The fundraising has used staged imagery to highlight the players’ current lack of facilities suitable for playing cricket

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Issue 128  November/December 2016 69