A LOCAL school cricketer is hoping to lead the KZN Schools side to victory in the much-anticipated Coca-Cola Khaya Majola U19 Week in Bloemfontein from 16 to 20 December.
Glenwood High School’s Joel Veeran said: “We back ourselves, and with the team we have this year we want to win all six of our games. We believe we are the best and we’re looking to go out there and prove it. “As players we know each other well, the relationships are good and the team vibe is great, which I’m sure will also help the team be successful at Coke Week,” explained Veeran.
Veeran, who made his debut at the tournament last year and went on to earn SA Colts selection, is excited by the opportunity to lead his side in Bloemfontein as well as the launching pad the tournament gives himself and his team mates to further their careers.
“Coming into such a prestigious event like Coke Week, experienced players are a big factor and hopefully I can bring a bit of a calming effect and a lot of tactical advise to the team. Learning to cope with the amount of pressure that Coke Week brings is a stepping stone for every young cricketer’s career, while being selected for SA Schools or SA Colts can also make a huge difference in players trying to make it to the top,” he said.
Veeran was speaking at the annual KZN Schools Capping Ceremony at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on Thursday, where the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union honoured the province’s crop of future cricketing stars and wished them well for their various age-group national weeks this December.
With Hollywoodbets Dolphins captain Morné van Wyk and team mates Cody Chetty and Sibonelo Makhanya – both who graduated from the KZN Schools programme into Franchise cricket – in attendance, the young primary and high pupils enjoyed their share of the limelight as they received their KZN caps from their local cricketing heroes and messages of support from key delegates.
“We congratulate all of our youngsters on being selected to play for KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union’s provincial schools teams. It is indeed an honour and a privilege to represent our wonderful province,” said KZNCU president, Fa-eez Jaffar.
“These weeks give you the opportunity to forge friendships with players from different backgrounds and cultures and different parts of our beautiful country that will last a lifetime,” added KZNCU Amateur Manager, Jay Naidoo.
The action gets underway with the CSA U13 Boys Week in Cape Town from 9 to 13 December, CSA U15 Boys Week in Potchefstroom from 8 to 12 December and the CSA U19 Girls Week in Pretoria from 9 to 13 December. The Rural U17 Boys Week then takes place in Nelspruit from 10 to 14 December and the CSA U17 Boys Week in Benoni from 11 to 15 December. The action culminates with the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola U19 Week in Bloemfontein.
