Eastern Cricket Union builds new cricket facilities in a primary school

He said this during an interview with Kathorus MAIL on October 3, after the Eastern Cricket Union (ECU) built a new cricket court at Abinala Primary School.

Phele said even though the cricket court was built six years after he started coaching, he was happy about the new facilities at the school.

“What worried me all along was that children would see such facilities when they go out to play with other children in the suburbs, and would come back and train in dusty cricket fields.

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“This will improve their professionalism as players.

“I would also like to thank the Vosloorus Cricket Committee for suggesting that facilities be built in this school. This is one of the schools that has done well in cricket. Even the Proteas played in this school and the school won against the best cricket players in the country. Cricket South Africa has also been here a number of times,” said Phele.

Tintswalo Mabasa, a teacher who is in charge of cricket at the school, said her school is blessed to have such facilities built in their yard.

“It is motivating. Everyone wants to play cricket now. If such facilities are built all over the township, it would encourage children to take part in the sport, and as a result, this township would produce more black cricket players,” Mabasa said.

She said what she likes the most is the fact that even children from outside the school sometimes come and utilise the facilities. “This has helped improve the relationship between the community and the school.”

“I would like to thank the VCC for identifying our school as one to have such beautiful facilities,” added Mabasa.

Khulani Nzena (10), one the promising cricket players at the school, said having such facilities is good for them as players.

“The moment you hold a bet inside these facilities you imagine yourself as one of the best batsmen in the country, like Lance Klusener. If you are a bowler you imagine the likes of Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock. This will definitely improve our batting and bowling skills,” said Nzena.

According to Mlungisi Mnisi, ECU’s executive committee member, their focus is not only on cricket but on learners’ education as well.

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“The reason we built these facilities at the school is that we want learners to improve in cricket and be the best players. This could also provide learners with opportunities for scholarships to learn in some of the best schools in the country or being identified by big cricket teams in the country,” said Mnisi.

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