Former Delhi Cricketer Abhay Sharma Formally Takes Over As Uganda Men’s Cricket Head Coach Ahead Of T20 World Cup 2024
New Delhi: The Uganda Cricket Association (UGA) has announced the appointment of Abhay Sharma as the new head coach of the senior men’s national team on Tuesday ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 for a three-year working contract. With a distinguished career and vast coaching experience, Sharma brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to lead the Uganda into their next chapter of success.
Sharma boasts a proven track record of success as both player and coach. As a former first-class cricketer, he comprehends the intricacies of the game and is well-equipped to guide the team towards achieving its goals. Sharma is currently in Uganda and has already started his duties with the T20 World Cup in his focus.
Expressing his gratitude, the 54-year-old gaffer remarked, “I am very grateful to UCA for this opportunity to work with a bunch of talented of national cricketers. 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 my home country, India. It is a beautiful country.”
The former wicketkeeper batsman continued, “I am here to contribute to the team’s aspirations, which include defeating the top sides in the world in the upcoming World Cup. Additionally, I intend to focus on the development team and work with as many young cricketers to build numbers.
While Uganda Cricket has performed well in the last 12 months, there are areas, particularly fielding, where we need to improve. What I have read in the newspapers and what I have seen in the data is that we have lost a couple of opportunities in the field.
“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. The UCA Board has pledged its full support as I endeavour to leverage my expertise and bring further success to the team,” he said.
With extensive experience, Sharma previously served as the fielding coach for India A and India U-19s, in addition to his tenure with the Indian women’s cricket team. His most recent coaching role was with the Delhi Ranji Team.
“We selected Abhay Sharma for his strong leadership qualities and impressive track record of success at professional and international levels. His coaching stints with notable teams such as the Delhi Ranji Team, Rest of India, and India A & B in the Deodar Trophy demonstrate his deep understanding of the game and ability to nurture players,” stated Jackson Kavuma, UCA’s Honorary Secretary.