Amos Cassimjee and his love for cricket
Describing cricket as a gentleman's sport, Mr Cassimjee said there were life lessons to be learned on the pitch.
Amos Cassimjee has proved the sands of time cannot suffocate a passion for sport, especially a passion for cricket.
Born and bred in Pietermaritzburg, Mr Cassimjee said his love for cricket was formed when his father started a cricket team in 1922. “I was five years old then and I was always at the grounds,” he said.
As he grew older, his interest in the sport turned into a way of life, both on and off the pitch.
Not only did he play for the Pietermaritzburg teams, but he represented the Natal Cricket Board in the 1960s, and helped establishing new cricket teams. When he relocated to Durban, he quickly set his roots in the city’s cricket community to ensure that his love for cricket never faded.
In 2009, Mr Cassimjee moved to Newcastle and local youngsters were able to benefit from his fountain of wisdom.
He joined the ranks of the Northern Natal District Cricket Union and soon started coaching youngsters. “I coach the senior children on Fridays and the juniors on Saturdays. It helps them gain some ball sense and experience,” he claimed.
Describing cricket as a gentleman’s sport, Mr Cassimjee said there were life lessons to be learned on the pitch. “It teaches tolerance, patience and playing fair. If children take it seriously, like with other sport, it can help them stay off the streets and away from drugs,” he emphasised.
While cricket was a sport he could watch and play for hours, he reminded youngsters that cricket could become more than just a hobby. “You can be a professional cricket player.”
