Uganda reveal new coach ahead of T20 World Cup debut
Uganda will enter June's ICC Men's T20 World Cup with a new coach after former India first-class batter Abhay Sharma signed a three-year deal with the Cricket Cranes.
Sharma takes the top job from the recently departed Laurence Mahatlane, with interim coach Jackson Ogwang staying on as an assistant ahead of Uganda's debut at the T20 World Cup.
Despite never playing for his country, Sharma forged an excellent record for Delhi and Railways and has proven his credentials as coach with stints as fielding coach for India A and India's Under 19 team.
Sharma has already arrived in Uganda and is looking forward to his time in charge of the African nation.
"I am very grateful for this opportunity to work with a bunch of talented cricketers," Sharma said.
"Having been in Uganda for just a couple of days, it already feels like my second home. The people here are lovely, and the setting is reminiscent of India."
Uganda have been drawn in Group C at the T20 World Cup alongside co-hosts West Indies, New Zealand, Afghanistan and Papua New Guinea and Sharma is confident his side can ruffle some feathers and cause some upsets at the event.
“What I have seen in the data is that we have lost a couple of opportunities in the field," Sharma noted of Uganda's run in November's African leg of qualification that saw them book their spot at this year's T20 World Cup.
“And yet even after missing out on those chances, we still qualified for the World Cup.
"Imagine how much better we can perform if we address these lapses. With enhanced game awareness and mental fortitude, we can compete with the world’s best teams on any given day."
Uganda's first match at the T20 World Cup comes against Afghanistan in Guyana on June 5.