By Nathan Eyagu 

SOROTI - Soroti Cricket Academy (SCA) marks its 10th anniversary since its founding in 2014 in Soroti City, the academy has set its focus on empowering young women, particularly single and teen mothers aged 18-35, to build brighter futures. This initiative aims to provide essential vocational skills and life support, helping beneficiaries who are struggling in relationships or bearing the challenges of single motherhood.

During a recent meeting with various stakeholders held at the SCA offices, Musana Felix, Chairman of Soroti Cricket Academy and a former cricketer, expressed the growing need for assistance, noting that there are over 100 young women who have dropped out of school and could benefit significantly from vocational training. "With the right skills, these young mothers can become productive members of their communities and improve their livelihoods," Musana explained, calling on stakeholders to step in and help expand this initiative.

Despite financial constraints, SCA has managed to secure the support of a few partners. Musana emphasized the need for additional assistance to expand their impact, hoping to reach even more young women across the region.

SCA's commitment to empowering youth extends beyond life skills and includes supporting academic and professional growth. Through cricket, the academy has enabled several players to earn bursaries, supporting their education at various levels. Some players are even approaching university graduation, while others continue to face financial challenges in meeting basic needs and school fees. This has led to concerns over teenage marriages and early pregnancies, issues that SCA is eager to address through continued engagement.

The academy has also achieved remarkable milestones on the field, with 13 of its players currently representing Soroti on the national team. This success story includes SCA alumni participating in international tournaments, with many of their players from schools like Olila High School and Light Secondary School excelling in the sport and securing opportunities abroad in countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, and Dubai.

Soroti City West’s Senior Community Development Officer (CDO), Justice Olinga, urged the academy to formalize its registration with local authorities. He suggested a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the city to further strengthen their support, which could enable SCA to reach a larger number of youth and make their objectives a reality.

Engulu Sam, representing Light Secondary School, which provides SCA with access to facilities, expressed the school’s commitment to partnering with the academy. He mentioned the school’s readiness to support cricket players who are identified early, even at the primary level, to develop their skills as they advance in school. However, he acknowledged that beneficiaries face challenges like school fees and early pregnancies, leading the school to offer partial bursaries to promising players.

Byansi Issa, the District Police Commander (DPC) of Soroti City West, pledged the support of the police force, particularly through child protection and gender-based units. He referenced Uganda’s top runner, Joshua Cheptegei, as an example of how sports can transform lives and expressed hope for similar outcomes among SCA's players.

Soroti City West Mayor, Emaru Peter Patrick, commended the academy's efforts and urged them to keep up the momentum. He encouraged SCA to follow up on the promises made by stakeholders and ensure the youth, especially young mothers, continue to benefit from these programs.

Soroti Cricket Academy’s journey over the last decade has been marked by both challenges and achievements. With an expanding vision of community support, sports empowerment, and education, SCA continues to serve as a beacon of hope for Soroti’s youth. As they celebrate this 10-year milestone, the academy remains committed to transforming lives and uplifting young women who need a fresh start, encouraging the community to rally behind them in this noble mission.