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Vumi Moyo, the Tuskers area manager said they had constructed cricket wickets at Nemane High School in Tsholotsho and three Victoria Falls primary schools — Kings, Baobab and Chinotimba.
“We are done in Victoria Falls and Tsholotsho but with resources permitting, we want to construct cricket wickets in other schools in Matabeleland North so that the sport is played at every corner.
“The next phase is to revamp facilities in Bulawayo and we are in the process of negotiating with the Sport and Recreation Commission to secure artificial turf straps that were removed from Khumalo Hockey Stadium so that we use it at schools,” said Moyo.
Some of the schools that have concrete wickets and are likely to benefit from artificial turf include
Mafakela in Luveve, Emakhanden’s Mtshingwe, Zulukandaba in Entumbane, Helemu and Northlea.
Baines has already benefited from the programme.
The Tuskers’ development programme has seen the franchise purchasing equipment worth $6 000 to be used by coaches for their coaching clinics at schools in the region. The equipment includes bats, balls, gloves and cones. It will be used mostly in western areas where they have had recurrent training problems.
“We have coaches who are going around schools providing free training sessions to inspire young cricketers and develop them to be better players. Development starts from the grassroots, that is why we are providing coaching to youngsters. We want them to grasp the basic techniques at a tender age. For them to do this, they have to have the right equipment.
“The equipment belongs to Tuskers’ but the coaches will use it at schools, especially at western areas and rural schools. You find that some aspiring cricketers give up because they do not get to use cricket equipment as they are made to run or watch from the sidelines. We hope this move is going to re-ignite love for sport by youngsters,” said Moyo.
Newly appointed Tuskers’ senior team assistant coach Pollock Mubhobho and renowned development gaffer Trevor Phiri have been conducting coaching programmes for schools with the help of Vincent Dururu.
At times, Tuskers’ senior players are engaged to coach at schools and the franchise’s junior teams. Spin bowler John Nyumbu was in charge of the Under-16 team that participated in the inter-franchise games in Harare while Gavin Ewing and former national team seamer Tawanda Mupariwa have also been working with the provincial junior teams and are expected to scout for talent at schools.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter