adminThe call was made by Nemane High School sports director Xolani Mumba in an interview at Tsholotsho Business Centre last Friday.
Nemane High School was chosen as a pilot project for the rural development programme by Tuskers Cricket Club and already the school has participated in a number of invitational tournaments in Bulawayo and Hwange.
“The sport is still fairly new here but we have talented players and we call upon provincial selectors to visit our school even during practice sessions and see for themselves the kind of talent we have here,” said Mumba.
Players like Proud Ndlovu and Thandeka Ncube are said to have a very bright future in the sport and the sooner their efforts are rewarded the better.
Mumba said because other schools within the district do not have cricket teams, his school has been forced to rely mainly on invitational tournaments.
“Plans are underway though for us to engage top cricket playing schools like Christian Brothers College so that we could have something like an exchange programme with them. They will pay us a visit and spend the whole day engaged in workshops and we will also reciprocate the visit,” said Mumba.
Mumba appealed to local business people to assist the school through, for example, buying cricket equipment as the school alone cannot afford to buy all the requirements.
He said the business community could buy equipment such as stumps and bats and this would go a long way in lessening the burden on parents.
“While students have shown tremendous enthusiasm in the sport, some parents are yet to grasp the idea of having a sport like cricket although those that are based in towns are for the idea but we believe very soon the sport will be very popular among parents and pupils,” said Mumba.
Online Reporter