LUSAKA – Zambia
Update: 12 August 2014
Greetings from Lusaka- it has been a rather hectic 4 days since my arrival here to be involved as Tournament Referee at the Pepsi ICC Africa Div 2 U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier.
6 countries are participating ( Sierra Leone did not get the go-ahead because of the Ebola virus issue) – Zambia, Ghana, Tanzania, Rwanda, Swaziland & Mocambique with the winner getting promoted into Div 1.
Over the past three days we have had the matches being played at 3 venues-
Metropolitan Sports Club & Lotus Sports Club are adjacent to each other with the 3rd venue being the Leopard’s Hill Polo & Cricket Club- this venue requires a 40 mins drive from the hotel.
Thus it has been a very hectic three days of cricket for me and trying to move between the venues to see as much of the matches in progress as is possible.
Today has provided a welcome rest day and this afforded us the time to get into one of the malls- although the Manda Hill Mall turned out to be a replica of any South African Mall or Shopping Centre with favourites such as Nando’s, Wimpy, Woolworths, Truworths, Game, Shoprite, Hungry Lion, Spur, Exact, all having a presence- we then popped over to a local craft market which also carried pretty much what our regular beach vendors display to tourists in PE. Still, it was a morning out and did get the match officials to spend some time together in a social environment.
The Southern Sun Ridgeway Hotel is conveniently situated in the city centre region of Lusaka- traffic congestion at certain times seems to now be endemic of major African cities where the development or improvement of roads does not keep pace with the influx of cars on the road.
The hotel has a lovely big pool which has naturally been used by me each morning – the one area outside the rooms and leading to the reception or dining areas has a water feature with some baby crocs present- today I witnessed staff feeding these little animals – overhead the finches were busy going about their seemingly endless task of building immaculate nests to please the vigilant and fussy female!
The cricket itself has delivered a mix of some very good matches as well as some that have ended early with convincing wins for the more fancied countries- at this stage ( after 3 matches) Tanzania and Rwanda have come through unscathed and their clash on Thursday could provide the tournament winner.
The venues have all provided excellent playing conditions and the Leopard’s Hill ground is an exclusive polocrosse as well as cricket club. Pitches have been consistently good and the outfields all even and good paced.
The local organising committee have done an excellent job in putting together a good event and the Africa Cricket Association (ACA) is responsible for the event under the auspices of the ICC.
The weather here in Lusaka has been very good- the chill in the early morning ( it is mid-winter after all) is quickly replaced by warm sunny days with temperatures reaching the high 20’s on each day.
Think that’s about it from here- can here the birds twittering outside and also a good time to enjoy some afternoon tea and then prepare for the matches to be played tomorrow.
As always my hope is that this update finds you in good health and as always I shall await news from wherever you find yourselves.
I am scheduled to return to PE on Sunday but with a rest day scheduled i am hoping that this will be brought forward a day or so.
I remain as always
Just
Dev
Welcoming water feature outside the hotel. — in Lusaka, Zambia.
The umpires enjoying the day off after the 1st three days out in the middle. David Odhiambo ( Kenya), Andrew Louw ( Nam) Wynand Louw ( Nam) Patrick Makumbi ( Ugan) Rockie D'Mello ( Ken) Front: Ravi Angara ( Bots) — in Lusaka, Zambia.
Update: 12 August 2014
Greetings from Lusaka- it has been a rather hectic 4 days since my arrival here to be involved as Tournament Referee at the Pepsi ICC Africa Div 2 U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier.
6 countries are participating ( Sierra Leone did not get the go-ahead because of the Ebola virus issue) – Zambia, Ghana, Tanzania, Rwanda, Swaziland & Mocambique with the winner getting promoted into Div 1.
Over the past three days we have had the matches being played at 3 venues-
Metropolitan Sports Club & Lotus Sports Club are adjacent to each other with the 3rd venue being the Leopard’s Hill Polo & Cricket Club- this venue requires a 40 mins drive from the hotel.
Thus it has been a very hectic three days of cricket for me and trying to move between the venues to see as much of the matches in progress as is possible.
Today has provided a welcome rest day and this afforded us the time to get into one of the malls- although the Manda Hill Mall turned out to be a replica of any South African Mall or Shopping Centre with favourites such as Nando’s, Wimpy, Woolworths, Truworths, Game, Shoprite, Hungry Lion, Spur, Exact, all having a presence- we then popped over to a local craft market which also carried pretty much what our regular beach vendors display to tourists in PE. Still, it was a morning out and did get the match officials to spend some time together in a social environment.
The Southern Sun Ridgeway Hotel is conveniently situated in the city centre region of Lusaka- traffic congestion at certain times seems to now be endemic of major African cities where the development or improvement of roads does not keep pace with the influx of cars on the road.
The hotel has a lovely big pool which has naturally been used by me each morning – the one area outside the rooms and leading to the reception or dining areas has a water feature with some baby crocs present- today I witnessed staff feeding these little animals – overhead the finches were busy going about their seemingly endless task of building immaculate nests to please the vigilant and fussy female!
The cricket itself has delivered a mix of some very good matches as well as some that have ended early with convincing wins for the more fancied countries- at this stage ( after 3 matches) Tanzania and Rwanda have come through unscathed and their clash on Thursday could provide the tournament winner.
The venues have all provided excellent playing conditions and the Leopard’s Hill ground is an exclusive polocrosse as well as cricket club. Pitches have been consistently good and the outfields all even and good paced.
The local organising committee have done an excellent job in putting together a good event and the Africa Cricket Association (ACA) is responsible for the event under the auspices of the ICC.
The weather here in Lusaka has been very good- the chill in the early morning ( it is mid-winter after all) is quickly replaced by warm sunny days with temperatures reaching the high 20’s on each day.
Think that’s about it from here- can here the birds twittering outside and also a good time to enjoy some afternoon tea and then prepare for the matches to be played tomorrow.
As always my hope is that this update finds you in good health and as always I shall await news from wherever you find yourselves.
I am scheduled to return to PE on Sunday but with a rest day scheduled i am hoping that this will be brought forward a day or so.
I remain as always
Just
Dev
Our driver took us to a mall - the MandaHill Mall- dominated by the typical SA chain stores with the familiar names. — in Lusaka, Zambia.
The unusual design of the MandaHill Mall. — inLusaka, Zambia.
Bumped into the Zambia Cricet Union officials Martin Mutono (2nd from left) ZCU Pres Reuben Chama( 3rd from the right),as well as the RDM of the Africa Cricket Assoc Mr Cassim Suliman ( 2nd from the left.) Umpires Patrick Makumbi & David Odhiambo also in the photo.— in Lusaka, Zambia.
The unusual design of the MandaHill Mall. — inLusaka, Zambia.
Bumped into the Zambia Cricet Union officials Martin Mutono (2nd from left) ZCU Pres Reuben Chama( 3rd from the right),as well as the RDM of the Africa Cricket Assoc Mr Cassim Suliman ( 2nd from the left.) Umpires Patrick Makumbi & David Odhiambo also in the photo.— in Lusaka, Zambia.
getting to visit a Arts/Craft centre - large variety f goods on display - take home a souvenir of Zambian craft. — in Lusaka, Zambia.
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