We don’t like cricket, we love it
ALEXANDRA - Mandela Day volunteers spruce up the Alex Cricket Oval and hold cricket coaching clinics for young enthusiasts.
The Alexandra Cricket Oval, home to the Alexandra Cricket Club, was a hive of activity as Mandela Day volunteers descended on the oval to give it a much-deserved spruce up.
Read: Nelson Mandela Day: A timeline of Madiba’ s journey
Among the organisations that came to give the facility a facelift included Bedfordview-based Imperial Logistics, the Gauteng Cricket Board, Gauteng Social Development Department, Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, the City of Johannesburg’s Region E and players of the Highveld Lions.
Besides their involvement in sprucing up the oval, the Lions players also conducted a coaching clinic for Alexandra’s aspiring young cricketers. Judging by the many children that thronged the oval on the day, it’s an indication of the growing interest in cricket among the township’s youth.
An exhibition cricket match was also played between the various staff members of companies and government entities that participated in the day. Imperial donated R100 000 to the club and a further R50 000 to be used to transport players to matches and provide them with meals.
The club’s chairman Lesiba Mailula expressed their gratitude to the volunteers who took time off from their busy work schedules to come ‘here and get their hands dirty in the name of our greatest leader and international icon, former first president of a democratic South Africa, Nelson Mandela’.
Read: #InFocus: Nelson Mandela Day
“I am also excited about the donation of R150 000 to the club, which is money that will go a long way in the development of cricket and cricket players,” he added. “I also appreciate the coaching clinics given to our young cricket enthusiasts. I am certain these clinics will go a long way towards igniting the passion and love for the game in our township.”
Mailula took over the chairmanship of the club from Jack Madiseng who has since been appointed chairman and president of the Gauteng Cricket Board.
Is the passion for cricket growing among the community of Alexandra? Tweet to share your views @AlexNewsZA
