KFC draws mini cricket enthusiasts at annual event

This year saw the exciting addition of new schools joining in the celebration.

The day began with a heartfelt prayer delivered by, Neha Nanan, a Grade 6 student, who set a positive tone for the festivities. This was followed by a rendition of the national anthem, amplifying the sense of national pride and enthusiasm on the sports grounds.

Rishi Nanan, KFC mini cricket coordinator for Newcastle, said this year’s festival featured an impressive lineup of 16 schools from Newcastle and surrounds, with Utrecht Primary School finally making its debut at the festival, having recently introduced cricket into its curriculum.

Each school fielded multiple teams for the 46 matches that were played. The stadium was abuzz with energy as teams competed in two rounds of games.

One of the highlights was the participation of several pre-primary schools, with Grade R learners taking to the field for their first major cricket event. “This was a milestone we had envisioned for years, and seeing young children embrace the sport at such an early age was a rewarding sight,” commented Nanan.

Parents, grandparents, and educators all shared in the joy of watching these young players experience cricket for the first time.

To ensure everyone had a great experience, the organisers provided cricket equipment to all participating schools. The coaches and managers were also treated to lunch and refreshments, while all children enjoyed two rounds of ice-lolly treats throughout the day.

“As part of my commitment to the sport, I recently attended the National KFC Mini-Cricket Seminar, a seminar aimed to enhance the programme’s reach and impact across South Africa thus contributing to the development of youth cricket through the country’s largest grassroots sports initiative.,” stated Nanan.

“I believe Saturday’s festival successfully met our objectives and showcased the program’s potential,” he continued.

Nanan thanked the KZN Inland Union for their support and equipment, the local sponsors, the Amajuba Cricket Union, the KFC Mini-Cricket Organising Committee, the Newcastle Municipality for providing the venue and all the schools that participated.

“We are planning another festival on February 8 2025 in Newcastle so watch this space as officials from Cricket South Africa, and professional cricket players might grace this event,” concluded Nanan

See photos below:

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