Uganda Lugazi Rovers have qualified for the 2012 Little League World Series after beating Kuwait City 5-2 last night in the final of the Middle East and Africa Baseball tournament in Kutno, Poland.
In an email from Kutno, Paul Kateregga, the team manager, was excited saying the next destination for the young team is the US next month. It will be the first time in the 66-year history of the Little League World Series that Africa is represented.
To reach the final, the Lugazi Rovers side handled by Henry Odong lost to Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their opening match before beating Qatar 13-1, and following up with 8-0 and 6-0 victories against Kuwait and UAE respectively.
The tournament that runs July 13-17 with youngsters aged 11-12 battling, has attracted Uganda, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE and Qatar.
Last year, another Ugandan team qualified for the World Series but were denied visas after the US Embassy discovered discrepancies over players’ ages and birth dates. If the Lugazi Rovers team is cleared by the Embassy they will have their first game against a team from Aguadulce, Panama on August 17 in South Williamsport.
Team: Andrew Namwanjja, Tom Anderson Ogaku, Rolence Okonzi, Ronald Olaa, Fred Enzama, Stephen Lematia, Tonny Okello, Job Ochon, Daniel Alio, Justine Makisimu and Henry Odong.
Officials: Henry Odong (Coach), Paul Kateregga (Team manager), Richard Stanley (Leader of team).
