2023 World Cup team honoured as T20 League launched

Kenyan legends who took part in the historic 2003 ICC World Cup were honoured in Nairobi during the launch of the high profile Cricket Kenya T20 League (CKT20) set to bowl off on November 7.

The former players were appreciated on Wednesday for the effort which saw them make it to the semi-finals in the World Cup that was co-hosted by Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The blazing class of former world beaters were also each bestowed with a trophy and Sh100,000.

The legends rewarded included Maurice Odumbe, Martin Suji, Peter Ong’ondo, Morris Ouma and Tony Suji.

Others were Elijah Otieno, Rajab Ali and the Obuya brothers David, Kennedy and Collins.

The former internationals will serve as tournament ambassadors for the lucrative CKT20 League that will be contested by six franchises namely Nairobi Challengers, Simba Royals, Mombasa Wildebeests, Kisumu Tuskers, Rhino Hitters and the Masai Mara Warriors.

Apart from identifying, harnessing and nurturing of talent, the league is also meant to honour the Kenya National Cricket teams of 1996-2003.

The 25-day intense showdown that will be held at the Nairobi Gymkhana and is supported by Dubai/India based sports promotional outfit AOS Sport Tournament, in a five-year deal totalling Sh255 million, will feature test players from across the globe whose auctioning will commence in October.

Each participating franchise is allowed to have six foreign players at any given fixture.

The league will take the format of the famed Indian Premier League (IPL).

"I'm grateful to be part of this launch and process, this tournament is going to have a very huge impact in Kenyan sports. I'm a product of cricket, I still make a living out of it, it is a game that has taken me to places. It's the reason why I'm proud to welcome this expected exciting competition," former national team captain Kennedy Obuya told Standard Sports.

"We are happy that the Government is fully involved, the tournament is going to change how we improve sports in this country, as it is going to give local players the chance to showcase their talents in a platform that will also be beamed to the outside world," said Obuya, who also doubles as CK Treasurer.

"The tournament is going to have unmatched international flavour, as top global players will be engaged after their bidding that is set for October. There will be exciting prizes, but it's not about the money, it's about getting young and upcoming players to showcase their talent and skills to the rest of the world," said Obuya who is also the CK Counties Representative.

Another Kenyan legend, Martin Suji, says the CKT20 League will pave way for the next generation of players expected to take the legacy left by the former world beaters to greater heights.

"We need such games, we need these kind of tournaments for our young players to grow in the sport.

"If we can emulate the IPL here, then our cricket will go back to those levels of 2003," said Suji, who was happy to be reunited with his former teammates.

"I started playing this game when I was nine. I feel good to be reunited and honoured together with former teammates," Suji said.

AOS Sport Tournament Chairman Chandra Prakash Panwar acknowledged his collaboration with CK to make the lucrative CKT20 League a reality. 

"Our commitment is to bring high quality cricket to Kenya and we thank the Government for giving this tournament a clean bill of health," Panwar said.

"I urge the participating players to put their best foot forward, to showcase their best while at the same time entertaining the crowd.

"We promise fans a competition that will drive them to the edge of their seats. It will be more than a cricket tournament, it will be platform to display, identify and harness talents," he said.

Nairobi County Executive Committee Member for Sports Brian Mulama hailed the concept of the tournament.

“This tournament celebrates two different generations. The players who brought Kenya glory between 1996 and 2003, and the youth who will get a chance to achieve their dreams of representing Kenya and restore the country’s place on the global cricket map."