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BAINES Junior School based Dumisani Mankunzini Cricket Initiative (DMCI) has been invited for an Under-13 tournament to be held in South Africa in December. This is the first time that the DMCI which was established in 2011 and whose thrust is grassroots development, has received an invitation to participate in a regional tournament.
Former Zimbabwe Under-19 and Matabeleland Tuskers Cricket Franchise cricketer Dumisani Mankunzini whose career in the sport was brought to an abrupt end due to a back injury, is the brains behind DMCI.
Mankunzini said a group of 13 players will travel to South Africa to participate at the Alberton Cricket Club Invitational Tournament that will run from 5-12 December in Johannesburg.
In their invitation letter to DMCI on Monday, Alberton Cricket Club (Junior Section) chairman Eugene Becker said they wanted to create a lasting relationship with the Baines Junior School based cricket institution.
“We believe that sport, and cricket specifically, is an excellent means of bringing together different people and building lasting friendship.
“It is therefore our pleasure to invite Dumisani Mankunzini Cricket Initiative from Bulawayo to play Under-13 matches here in Alberton, South Africa from 5-12 December 2013,” reads part of the letter.
An elated Mankunzini said the competition will give his youngsters international exposure.
“I believe that this is going to be an eye opener for the boys as they will be exposed to better facilities and good competition. It is important that as they develop in cricket, they get exposed to better facilities so that when it’s time to get into national teams they are not intimidated.
“We have already started preparing for the trip and we hope to go there with a strong team,” Mankunzini said. He said they have roped in Matabeleland Tuskers’ Keith Dabengwa as their head for development while seasoned seamer Tawanda Muparati is the technical advisor. Titus ‘Hooper’ Chipara is the coach.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter