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Nkosilathi Sibanda, [email protected]
THE Cricket Ekhaya initiative has hailed the abundance of raw and untapped talent in Nkayi, Matabeleland North, following a successful outreach programme conducted during the recently held Imiklomelo kaDakamela cultural event.
Led by former cricketer Dumisani Mankunzini, the programme introduced cricket to scores of youngsters, many of whom were experiencing the sport for the very first time. The engagement featured practical training sessions and hands on skill sharing activities designed to spark interest and build confidence.
The grassroots focused initiative saw children actively taking part in batting, bowling and fielding drills, with organisers impressed by both the enthusiasm and natural ability displayed throughout the sessions.
Mankunzini admitted he was pleasantly surprised by the level of talent in the area, describing Nkayi as a potential goldmine for cricket development.
“To be honest, I am surprised by the amount of untapped talent here in Nkayi. The youngsters are quick to learn, and you can see the natural ability they have. With the right support and exposure, this area can produce very good cricketers,” he said.
He reiterated that the initiative’s mission extends beyond simply introducing the sport, with a strong emphasis on empowering young people through life skills.
“Our goal is to make sure every child gets an opportunity to play cricket and develop through sport. It’s not only about the game, but about discipline, teamwork and opening opportunities for the future,” he added.
Mankunzini also highlighted that lack of exposure remains a key barrier for rural talent, with programmes such as Cricket Ekhaya aiming to bridge that gap by taking the game directly to underserved communities.
The Imiklomelo kaDakamela event, which celebrates culture and community excellence, provided a fitting platform for youth engagement, attracting large numbers of children eager to learn and take part.
“We went to the Dakamela festival to spread the game of cricket. Our aim was to expose the children in Nkayi to the game of cricket. We glad to have given that opportunity and chance for children to learn how to play the game. We will have more of these visitations. Soon we will unearth stars from this area,” he said.
Cricket Ekhaya continues to expand its outreach across the country, targeting underprivileged communities as part of efforts to grow the sport and identify future stars.
“With the kind of talent we saw in Nkayi, I’m confident that this could mark the beginning of a new chapter for cricket development in Matabeleland North,” said Mankunzini.
Online Reporter