The indomitable Team Uganda triumphed over Zimbabwe in the second edition of the Street Child Cricket World Cup (SCCWC) to emerge as the champions in Chennai, India.
Zimbabwe, who challenged India, the defending champions, in the semi-finals, were defeated by 30 runs in the final.
After a dominant group stage performance that saw them top Group B, Uganda continued with its stellar display in the subsequent stages. They played South Africa and Bangladesh in the quarterfinals and semi-finals, respectively.
Uganda and Zimbabwe had met before in the group stages, where Zimbabwe lost by the exact number of runs.
After winning the toss, Uganda elected to bat. The trio of Gerald Olipa, Malisa Ariokot, and Jonathan Nyiiro each scored 18 runs as they set 67 for Zimbabwe to chase.
The victory meant Uganda became the second country to win the Street Child World Cup after India, and they did it on their first appearance.
The winning team is composed of eight players, including Aziz Tandia, Gerald Olipa, Lorna Anyait, Malisa Ariokot, Jonathan Nyiiro, Agnes Nakakande, Ali Balidawa, and Naome Amongin.
South Africa will be hosting the next Street Child Cricket World Cup in 2027.
The tournament commenced on September 22 to October 1, 2023.
The event brought together street-connected youth from all over the world to participate in a cricket tournament, an arts festival, and a Congress and General Assembly that focused on the rights and protection of children.
The inaugural event was in London/Cambridge in 2019, where eight teams competed, and Team India South emerged victorious after beating the hosts England in a highly competitive final.
