Easterns and Cricket South Africa (CSA), in partnership with KFC, celebrated the forty second anniversary of the KFC Mini-Cricket programme on August 16 by internet hosting the Easterns KFC Mini-Cricket Provincial Seminar on the Vacation Inn Boksburg.
The seminar commemorated the programme’s achievements and highlighted its important position in nurturing younger cricket expertise throughout SA.
Julius Maziya, the Jap Cricket mini-cricket provincial co-ordinator, mentioned the KFC Mini-Cricket programme has been a cornerstone of cricket growth in SA, offering a grassroots platform the place youngsters from various backgrounds can interact within the sport.
“This occasion is a celebration of the victories of the mini-cricket programme. It permits us to replicate on our achievements and sit up for increasing our attain.”
Maziya mentioned the programme encompasses 21 areas collaborating by means of Ekurhuleni, with aspirations to develop additional.
“We now have over 200 colleges concerned and greater than 6 000 coaches, which interprets to over 5 000 youngsters collaborating in cricket throughout the East Rand.”
Maziya mentioned one of many key points of the KFC Mini-Cricket programme is its inclusive strategy, catering to girls and boys.
“Boys can take part from ages six to 10, and ladies can play till 13. This construction is in place as a result of present lack of formal constructions for ladies’ cricket.
“Our aim is to stage the enjoying fields and bridge the hole in alternatives for younger ladies in cricket,” he emphasised.
The seminar served as a platform to debate methods for enhancing ladies’ participation in cricket. Maziya identified that many gamers representing nationwide groups emerged from the mini-cricket programme, highlighting its effectiveness in fostering expertise.
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“Gamers like Tumi Sekhukhune are prime examples of how this programme can result in nationwide illustration,” he added.
KFC has been a steadfast companion of CSA, and Bjorn Oosthuis, the KFC Technique Playmakers Group account director, reiterated their dedication to the KFC Mini-Cricket programme.
“Over the previous 15 seasons, now we have witnessed the transformative impression of this partnership. KFC is devoted to unlocking youngsters’ potential by offering equal alternatives and creating stage enjoying fields for all,” Oosthuis said.
He elaborated on the broader advantages of the programme, stating, “This initiative promotes wholesome existence, improves psychological well being and fosters social cohesion inside communities.”
Oosthuis mentioned the programme goals to instil confidence, resilience and management abilities in younger contributors.
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“Everybody concerned within the programme receives an equal alternative, and it’s vital to recognise that this initiative is greater than only a sport,” he remarked.
The seminar featured particular visitor speaker Tumi Sekhukhune, a Proteas Ladies’s staff bowler and a proud mini-cricket alumnus. Sekhukhune shared her journey, expressing pleasure that the programme helped form her profession.
“I began enjoying cricket right here once I was round seven or eight, and it was an unbelievable expertise. The enjoyable half about mini-cricket is that it ignites a love for the game whereas creating important abilities,” she mentioned.
Hailing from Daveyton, Sekhukhune expressed her want to encourage younger ladies from her group.
“It feels nice to be right here, particularly as a result of we should not have many younger ladies from Daveyton concerned in cricket. I need to present them they’ll pursue their goals in sports activities,” she mentioned.
