Old Mutual Cricket Academy tourney a massive success

Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
TEN years down the line, the passion and enthusiasm for developmental cricket at the Old Mutual Academy of Cricket Excellence (formerly known as Heath Streak Academy) is still alive after the successful hosting of the 2024 edition of the Old Mutual Colts Cricket Cup and the CABS Under-13 Cricket Cup finals yesterday afternoon.

The Academy — founded in 2014 has been the spiritual hub of cricket development in the city and yesterday’s tournament was testament to that. The Colts Cup was won by Josiah Chinamano Primary School of Emakhandeni in Bulawayo while the Under-13 Cup was claimed by Mtshingwe Primary School — a vice-versa of the previous edition.

However, developmental cricket was the overall winner at the end of the day. To make the event even more special, it was graced by the Deputy of Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Emily Jesaya who was pleased with seeing such an initiative which is meant to nurture the country’s next generation of cricketers.

“I am greatly honoured to be among you today for the Old Mutual Colts Cricket Cup, sponsored by Old Mutual. A grassroots initiative aimed at promoting uptake of cricket and creation of a sustainable developmental pathway for our young athletes.

“As such, the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture is proud to be associated with this year’s edition, as the ‘Old Mutual Colts Cricket Cup’ celebrates a decade since it was first launched in 2014 christened ‘My Vision, My Dream’ offering young aspiring talented cricketers with a desire to learn, the opportunity to showcase their abilities and potential with the hopes that they may perhaps one day represent their school, university, club, province or country with pride at the International level with determination and above all — a SMILE,” she said.

She added that as a ministry, they are in full support of the Academy’s initiative to host such tournaments.

“The ministry fully supports and applaud the Academy’s development agenda focusing on grassroots level development and age group’s structure, in that way, establishing a solid sporting base to improve talent identification, nurturing and ultimately podium performance. “The Old Mutual Cricket Academy has been very successful and more local Zimbabweans are being attracted to the game of cricket. The ministry is aware that the focus age-group teams which are Pre-Colts, Colts, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17 and U18 levels have been winning international tournaments with great distinction,” said Jesaya.

Joseph Rego, the Academy’s president, encouraged the budding talents to continue winning and never look back.

“To our aspiring cricketers, you are our nation’s future stars. Winning is great but if you are really going to do something big in life, the secret is learning how to lose. Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can wake up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday.

“My dear aspiring cricketers, you must always have this in your heart. I love winning, I can take the losing but most of all, I love the game of cricket,” said Rego.

Over the years, CABS have been sponsoring the tournament and managing director Mehluli Mpofu, said they are looking at continuing their relationship with the academy and he is confident that in the near future, there will be national team players coming from the academy.

“As CABS and Old Mutual we are proud to be a partner of the Cricket Academy. The aim of our sponsorship is to develop and promote cricket at grassroots levels and give the children an opportunity to excel through sport. I have no doubt that using this platform, we will produce more cricket stars in Zimbabwe — the future is indeed here. “As Old Mutual & CABS we feel privileged to be part of the Academy of Cricket Excellence as this fits in with our Responsible Business ethos of playing a part in the development of young people. Be it in sports, education and even entrepreneurship.

We look forward to seeing great cricketing stars emerge from this very academy. “Well done to all the teams for the great participation. I trust you all enjoyed the teamwork and that you all played with a very positive spirit. I would also like to congratulate all the winners today and say well done and keep up the good work,” said Mpofu. Kilvan Nyahondo of Josiah Primary was named Colts player of the tournament while Lionel Chikwana from Mtshingwe won the Under-13’s Player of the Tournament. -—@brandon_malvin