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The young cricketers aged between 17 and 21 from Bulawayo and Matabeleland North provinces will be attached to the Tuskers Academy where they will receive specialised coaching for three months.
The Matabeleland Tuskers Cricket Franchise chief operations manager Samu Nkiwane said Matabeleland North participants would join the programme in due course.
Unlike at the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy in Harare where the players camp in one place, Nkiwane said those from the city would be coming from their homes.
“Everything has been set for the Tuskers Academy and today we had players coming in for registration formalities.However, we haven’t received the names of participants from Matabeleland North and what we have done is to start the programme with those that are here.
Those from Matabeleland North will join the programme once the people there are done with the recruitment exercise,” said Nkiwane.
Last week some athletes from Matabeleland North participated in the trials that were held at Queens Sports Club.
Matabeleland Tuskers senior team’s fringe players Godwill Mamhiyo, Steve Chimhamhiwa, Tinashe Mhora and Brian Chari are the most high profile players that will be going to the Academy. Some of these players played in some Tuskers’ Castle Logan games.
Other athletes who made it are Kelvin Kandala, Atisha Chouhan, Tony Mupariwa, Nkosana Mpofu and Kyle Bowie.
The cricketers who have been shortlisted for the Tuskers Academy are those whom the coaches believe have potential of making it in sport. Besides intense coaching, the academy participants will also get tips on how to behave off the field as well as manage their finances.
Today the players will meet Matabeleland Tuskers development coach Wayne James.
Tuskers Academy players: Tinashe Mhora, Brian Chari, Godwill Mamhiyo, Steve Chimhamhiwa, Kelvin Kandala, Atish Chouhan, Tony Mupariwa, Nkosana Mpofu, Kyle Bowie.
Online Reporter