By Evans Dakwa
In a heartening display of cricketing talent, the Matabeleland South province is converged at Nuli High School for the province’s two day cricket competition that winds up today. Despite the makeshift pitch, with bricks serving as the perimeter rope and a compacted section acting as the wicket, the boys showcased their skills with enthusiasm and dedication laden with a loud cry for more support. The makeshift pitch didn’t matter, it wasn’t a deterrent as the boys showcased their talents in the gentleman’s game.
The competition highlighted the potential of cricket in the region, but also underscored the need for greater support and development. With only eight schools participating, it was clear that the game has yet to reach marginalized schools, limiting the pool for national team selections.
Cricket Resource teacher and Nuli High School coach, Previous Ndou, praised the talent on display but emphasised the need for more rural workshops targeting teachers.
“The boys are playing well and you can see talent is there but l think we need more of those rural workshops targeting teachers so that they can be understand the game and spread it to schools, she said
“We need more workshops , more facilities too, more education, we don’t have practice nets, equipment needed to play the game and impart the right skills to the players”
Ndou also highlighted the importance of involving communities in cricket development, as their lack of understanding and appreciation can hinder efforts to spread the game.
The excitement and commitment among the boys and coaches alike was a clear yearn and call for the powers that be especially Zimbabwe Cricket to do more in spreading the game and debunk the elitist sport tag that has followed cricket in the country.