Saturday 9 December 2023 | Kartik Vad 12, Samvat 2080

Sat 9 Dec 2023

History of Swamibapa Cricket Club

Swamibapa Cricket Club first entered in the Kenya Cricket Association league in the 1976/77 league and during the first season, it competed very well against many well-established clubs in the country. This was a catalyst and a morale booster for the players to achieve more and dream of getting the club to the highest level possible in East Africa. As years went by, Swamibapa Cricket Club progressed through the ranks, won major championships with the blessings of Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa and had become a prominent entity in the cricket fraternity in Kenya.

1981/82 was the most successful year for the club since establishment, having won all tournaments, Junior league, Junior knockouts and Kenyatta Cup. Swamibapa Cricket Club finished the year unbeaten and was promoted to the first division league in 1982/83.

As the years progressed, so did the club, it reached great heights and produced the country’s best cricketers, who represented the country and the club at the International Stage. At one point the Kenyan National Cricket Team had 9 players from Swamibapa Cricket Club on an International Tour.

Some of the players that came through the ranks and represented the country were, Tom Tikolo, Steve Tikolo, David Tikolo, Alfred Boi Njuguna, Thomas Opondo, Bharat Sawjani, Lameck Onyango, Maurice Ouma, Peter Ochieng, Martin Orewa, Abbas Akram, Dennis Angara, Joseph Angara, Shahid Bwibo, Tariq Iqbal, Andrew Mboya, Edward Mboya, Bernard Owino, Sibtain Kassamali, Nitin Patel.

Following the success of the Club in Kenya, Swamibapa Cricket Club was established in London UK in the late 80s. Swamibapa Cricket Club London currently plays in the Middlesex Championship League in Division 3, and Swamibapa Cricket Club Bolton plays in the 20-20 league in Lancashire.