Several cricket fans and enthusiasts have joined cricket player Eric Dusingizimana to back and support him while attempting to break the World record at Amahoro indoor playground.
The 29-year-old player, who started batting on Wednesday at 8:00 Am, is attempting to break the incredible feat of Viraga Mare of India, who is the current world record holder for batting the longest at a stretch during a practice session.
Englishman Alby Shale who took on the challenge when he batted for a mind-boggling 26 hours non-stop on July 2012, in the Ken Barrington centre at eh Kia Oval in London said:
“Eric is a strong player he can make. It’s tough, batting for more than a day is not joke. It requires determination but I believed Eric can do he is a stronger player he just needs people to be around to support him mentally and physiologically.”
He added “That is why we have to be around, when I was making the attempt. I worked out in the gym, did weight training and worked on strengthening my lower body. I kept batting too — eight hours was the longest I’d. So it wasn’t like I just decided to do it one day and went into the nets the next.”
The 25-years-old cricket buff, who wants Rwanda to have a proper cricket suggested and commended Dusingizimana to make this attempt. In October 2012, he broke the Guinness World Record of 25 hours set by Australia’s Jade Child.
Just after 6 hours of batting, the 29-year-old had faced a couple of bowlers during the fold, including former British premier Tony Blair.
Blair was accompanied by Minister of Sports and Culture Julienne Uwacu, and Miss Rwanda to witness stint said “This proves Rwandans are capable of making it. They can play cricket. I played some cricket and attended a cricket class.”
Several people turned up at the indoor stadium, to bowl Dusingizimana, many who had only heard about it on the day from the local radio, TV stations, Social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook.
Numerous bowlers stayed for seven or eight hours of bowling and all were given a free including, Ugandan international Siraj Nsubuga who plies his trade for Challengers cricket club.
“We are here to support him, we have to push him, the body gets tired after 30 hours just like playing a test cricket match but he is strong and can make it, though five minutes of rest in each hour is not enough.
The other enthusiasts are local cricketers, fans, investors from UK, and participants of the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa.
To survive the ordeal, Dusingizimana has to follow the rules set down by Guinness allowing only a five minute break for every full hour completed- to take on liquids and go to the toilet.
He is being fed with drinking water, fruits, proteins and some energizer drinks to give him strength. The small country joined the international Cricket Council as an affiliate member in 2003 has played regular matches since.
The intention is to build the future of cricket in Rwanda, set up good cricket facilities as well as help improve the sports image on the international stage.
Muhamudu Muhe
Dusingizimana is attempting to break the world record by batting for 51 hours (Photo by George Baryamwisaki)
Dusingizimana faced a number of bowlers including former British Premier Minister Tony Blair. (Photo by George Baryamwisaki)
Minister of Sports and Culture Julienne Uwacu trying out his bowling skills. (Photo by Muhamudu Muhe)
