How Nairobi Invitation League is slowly eclipsing NPCA
Swamibapa players savour winning the Nairobi Invitational Cricket League Super Division 50 over finals after beating Sir Ali Muslim Club on Sunday. PD/ALEX NJUE
Cricket stakeholders are impressed at the impact made by the Nairobi Invitation Cricket League (NICL) in as far as developing talent is concerned.
The inaugural league, which runs across three divisions, has made 2019 an active year for domestic players who have had several matches to showcase their worth in both the T20 and 50 over competitions.
Run by clubs, NICL seems to be slowly replacing a withering Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association as many exciting talents have been spotted by national team selectors while some of the old guard have also confounded friend and foe with their impressive performances.
Kanbis and Swamibapa won the two sets of tournaments that attracted many fans as well as Hirani Telkom and Mombasa Cement as sponsors to leave many with hopes of a cricket renaissance in the country.
“It is a very attractive project and I am certain with good planning, it can be a big boost to local cricket.
“We can see players are more driven and have desire,” said former Kenyan international Martin Suji.
Swamibapa coach David Tikolo was more apt in his assessment, having clinched the just-ended championship last Sunday.
“We need more of such so that players are kept busy. This year has been good for local cricket because of the interest NICL organisers created and the entry of the financiers and prize monies. We can only get better.”
