The setting for today’s training was the Mbale Municipal Stadium. Most would see this ageing dustbowl as a difficult setting for cricket but in typical Ugandan style the teachers threw themselves competitively into all the training and games with a verve and vigour which clearly rubs off on the children that they teach day to day.
With the whole team coaching at different points during the morning session this allowed John to get whisked off to Step TV, a national station, to record a 10 minute interview live on air. No mentions of shine sports and a brief mention of his beloved West Brom featured the fact that they played in Bristol, but the interview got over the key reasons for our visit and will hopefully mean a few more numbers arrive to the stadium over the next couple of days.
As with all trips, moments happen which you probably had to be there for but the sight of Tim being chased by a cow on the field and having to hide behind a football goalpost, reminded Jamie of Waka being pulled along by a goat 2 years before and the picture had to be shared again for all to see.
Tomorrow sees the start of 2 days worth of schools coaching and promises to be more fun for the team and a chance to build upon what has been achieved in Mbale previously. A round of crazy, at times impossible, golf on the concrete this evening gave the team a chance to unwind and the view of Lords across the road from our restaurant was a reminder of the UK.
Jamie obviously enjoying Ugandian cuisine…….!!!!!!!!!