Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
CRICKET talent identification and nurturing programme currently underway in remote parts of Manicaland has unearthed great potential that could spur the game to greater heights in foreseeable future.
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) is actively working to develop the sport in rural areas through its Cricket Kumusha/Ekhaya Programme.
The initiative focuses on training coaches and umpires, identifying talent, and establishing local leagues to promote the game at grassroots level.
ZC aims to make cricket a popular sport in rural communities, similar to football.
Local cricket coaches spent time in remote parts of Chipinge and Buhera as part of efforts to popularise the game, and more importantly, identify talented players in these marginalised communities.
In a recent interview after his tour of duty in Buhera, coach, Square Square, said: “We have covered much ground. You will be shocked with how much we have gone in terms of talent identification. I am telling you if the talent is harnessed and developed, Zimbabwe will never be beaten in the game of cricket by teams like Ireland, Bangladesh or Scotland.”
The National Premier League outfit, Westerns coach, said exclusive focus of urban populace in the development of the game of cricket has been a huge mistake.
“We have got players everywhere, but it is only that this talent is just not being noticed. The rural outreach programme started by Givemore Makoni has exposed a lot of talent. The development of this game does not start at NPL, First Class cricket or international cricket, it starts here. This is the biggest mistake we have been doing over the years.
“We have ignored a lot of talent being wasted in our rural areas. I have been in these marginalised areas, and I now understand the enormous level of talent in these rural areas. Zimbabwe has the potential to get into the top five if this talent is harnessed and developed,” he said.
Square said the raw talent in the rural areas only needs to be given a platform to express themselves and the game of cricket in the country will be the biggest beneficiary.
“What I have seen out there is awesome. People do not have knowledge of the game of cricket, but when given a chance to try it, I can see the next generation of big cricket stars. The people who will dominate this game in future will come from rural areas because they are strong, have the agility and the talent,” he said.
Apparently, ZC has hailed the success of its grassroots Cricket Kumusha-Cricket Ekhaya, after training 241 participants in coaching and umpiring courses across the country between January and April this year.
The development drive, aimed at rural communities, included basic coaching, Level One coaching and Grade D umpiring courses conducted in all 10 provinces, targeting both male and female participants.
The training sessions were hosted at schools, teacher training colleges and sports clubs, signalling growing interest in cricket at the grassroots level.
Of the 241 trained between January and April, 191 received basic coaching certification, 19 completed Level 1 coaching and 31 undertook umpiring training.
Courses were held in Harare, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Bulawayo and Matabeleland South, with notable support from schools and provincial sports officials.
Similarly, courses in places like Chipinge, Gwanda and Mvurwi drew participants from multiple districts, reflecting strong regional interest.
