PROLINE TOUR OF ENGLAND

Today Proline Proline v Man. Utd reserves

Proline v Portsmouth

The Ferdinands will soon pass for Ugandans. First, Julian Ferdinand visited Uganda. Next was his son and England international Rio Ferdinand. And shortly after, Rio’s cousin Les Ferdinand came to Uganda on a charity trip. Now Rio’s younger brother Anton Ferdinand has confirmed to Daily Monitor he will visit Kampala in June.

Anton should have come with Rio last year but was involved in the European U-21 Championships where England finished in the semi-final.

“Rio told me the terrific reception he got and how fantastic the Ugandan people are. I can’t wait to be there,” said Anton, who will be accompanied by former West Ham team-mate Nigel Reo- Coker (now at Aston Villa) and cousin Max Ferdinand.

His visit however will mostly be concentrated on Rio Ferdinand’s Proline Soccer Academy. The 23-year-old has been moved by the confidence and ability of Proline on its first tour to England and believes the team can get better.

Anton’s father Julian is the patron of the Academy and is at Manchester’s Carrington Complex today with the rest of the team for the trial match against Man. Utd reserves.

Proline’s first match on Wednesday ended in a convincing 2-0 triumph over Millwall but today’s test is expected to be tougher. The youthful team is in the Kakungulu Cup semi-finals and has conceded just one goal enroute – to Kabale’s Fulham in a 3-1 away victory.

Two of Uganda’s immensely gifted talents make professional debuts in England today when they play for their new cricket clubs. Uganda’s opening bowler Charles Waiswa (20) and former U-19 skipper Hamza Almuzahim Saleh (22) will be in the limelight when they feature for Killamarsh CC and Bourton Vale CC respectively.

It will immediately be business as his club faces a stern test when they play Gedling Colliery away from home in the season opener of the Nottinghamshire Premier League. Killamarsh finished seventh in the twelve team competition last season and a lot of hope will hinge on Waiswa’s exuberance in the 22 games to be played this season.

Saleh’s team will also be playing away from home against Dambliton in Gloscester. “It is hard to score run at the start of the season because of the windy climatic conditions it partly makes the wickets hard to play on but I have had some nets and anxious to get some runs on the board,” said Saleh.

Both Waiswa and Saleh will be targeting impressive performances so the UCA selectors can consider them for Uganda’s final squad that will play in the 2011 penultimate World Cup qualifier set for Argentina in 2009.