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