http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SO-Tikolo-c2546 joins Uganda as batting coach - Cricket News update
Veteran Kenyan batsman and former captain of Kenyan Cricket team, Steve Tikolo, has signed up as a batting coach for the Ugandan national side.
The 41-year-old had played 134 matches for Kenya and scored close to 3,500 runs at an average of 29. He has also contributed significantly with the ball, where in his 134 matches, he has managed to pick up 94 wickets at an average of 34. Tikolo was shortlisted
as the ICC Associate ODI player of the year in 2007 and has been Kenya’s finest player to date. He also captained Kenya to their first ever semi final in a major global tournament, the Cricket World Cup which took place in 2003.
Tikolo's appointment as the national coach comes alongside teammate http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Martin-Armon-Suji-c74842, who has also played ODI cricket for Kenya by picking up 43 wickets at an average of 50. Tikolo’s decision to coach Uganda is subsequent to his retirement from the international
game, after http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kenya-c752’s dismal run in the recently concluded 2011 Cricket World Cup. Another factor which has influenced Tikolo’s decision is the state of affairs and his constant tussle with the main board, Cricket Kenya. He was quoted as claiming that the board
was making ‘wrong decisions’, which were against the safe passage of cricket in the country and detrimental to the players involved in the entire set up. Since the 2003 Cricket World Cup, Kenya has failed to progress beyond the group stages of major tournaments
which includes the ICC Champions Trophy as well.
“I think Kenyan cricket needs to look at our top structure and development. The board that has been there took over from the Kenyan cricketer. They have not done enough in terms of development of the game.”
His decision to join the Uganda Cricket Team however, has been met well with the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Uganda-c3031 Board Chairman, Justine Ligyalingi, who expects Tikolo’s experience and presence to give the associate member side plenty to look forward to.
“He's a hot property that any team will want to have as a player or coach. We are really lucky to have him here.”
Tikolo’s assets, which were recognized by the Uganda Cricket Association, include his captaincy skills along with his batting prowess, which is expected to aid the Ugandan Cricket Team, which has never featured in any global tournament. Uganda were the champions
of the Division Three edition of the World Cricket League in 2007, and since then, have achieved mixed success.
They are currently competing in the 2009-2010 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 Intercontinental Shield Cup, and are expected to perform well. The team will continue to receive funding from the ICC High Performance Program.
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