CRICKET South Africa (CSA), in partnership with KFC, are currently taking cricket to grassroots communities around the country, in their quest to level the playing field and encourage kids between the ages of 3 and 12 to play the game in a fun and friendly way, no matter their circumstances.
The 2022/23 KFC Mini-Cricket season got off to a big bang with over 10 000 kids, between 3 and 12, around South Africa, playing in a mega festival to celebrate 40 years of mini-cricket.
To continue from the record-breaking launch, there will be 16 KFC Mini-Cricket community festivals happening around the country, and the Gelvandale Sports Grounds in Gqeberha hosted their event on Thursday, March 23, with over 300 kids attending.
CSA’s Mass Participation manager, David Mokopanele, attended the event. “KFC Mini-Cricket prides itself with being one of South Africa’s premier development programmes, with an impact that goes beyond the cricket field,” said Mokopanele. “Over the years the programme has unearthed household professional cricketers and administrators, as well as developing astute citizens and ardent cricket fans.
“This year, instead of the main provincial stadia, the festivals will move back to grassroots community fields, with hopes that we reach every child in the country and provide them with the opportunity to play the sport. We want to elongate our story 40 years on and celebrate the programme, whilst we continue to build the stars of tomorrow.”
Cricket hype is currently at an all-time high in South Africa and it is now time for our kids to shine, believes Andra Nel, KFC marketing manager, Brand and Purpose.
“Our kids have been watching first-class cricket at its best over the past few months, including the exceptional records that were broken during the recent KFC T20 Internationals between the Proteas and West Indies, and the KFC Mini-Cricket Community Festivals allow the professionals and selectors a platform to glance into the future,” said Nel.
“Our community festivals are unique in that the playing field is levelled and our children can play together no matter where they come from, and they get a chance to cast aside any challenges they might be facing. We are proud to be a partner in cricket and afford our youth with an opportunity to play the game they love and give them a chance to dream and achieve goals.”
Eastern Province co-ordinator, Gugu Ndulama, says that the number of cricket players in his region is expanding, which is a direct result of KFC Mini-Cricket.
“KFC Mini-Cricket is loads of fun for the kids, and they want to play the game at home after school as well. This creates interest amongst the other kids from schools that maybe don’t play the game, and they go back and get their educators to contact us to introduce the sport to them. This is very exciting for us. Further, the kids realise that they can progress through KFC Mini-Cricket and possibly get into high-achieving schools.”
Belinda Allie has been coaching mini-cricket for 38 years.
“Even though I have retired from coaching, I continue to be involved in KFC Mini-Cricket as this is my passion. My mission is to make a difference in children’s lives, and education and sport go hand-in-hand. Bat and ball skills are important, and cricket plays an integral role in forging relationships between the kids and educators.
“Community is important as well, and these KFC Mini-Cricket festivals bring all children together, no matter where they come from. This is the true spirit of Ubuntu.”
