Impalas look to make a name at Rural Week.

POLOKWANE- The Impalas have once again qualified for Cricket South Africa’s Rural Week and will leave for Kimberley on the 24th of February for the week long tournament.

It’s been two years since the Impalas qualified for tournament, however, through hard work, intense practices and a mind set change within the team has seen them qualify for a week that has just as much importance not only for the players but for Limpopo Impala Cricket (LIC) as well.

Manager, Lucky Mhlongo says that their initial goal wasn’t to really qualify, it was to build a cultures of self-belief within the team first. “Qualifying was the last thing on our minds.” He says that if the team does well, some of the players have the potential to be picked for the South African rural team which could open doors and create many opportunities for those that perform. Now that we have qualified the team believes they can go all the way.”Our goal for the week is to win every game that we play,” says Mhlongo.

However, the Rural Week is much more than just playing games, for LIC, it is a chance to receive Affiliate Status from Cricket South Africa (CSA). CSA has set out criteria for that to happen and part of that is on-field performance, something that Coach Dumile Skade says is how they are going to achieve that goal at the rural week. “If we do well at the Rural Week we will be getting closer to achieving our goals and when we get our affiliate status, we will be able to retain the majority of our players.” Affliate status also means that players will have something to play for such as playing contracts, which will take them a step closer to playing Franchise Cricket.

“The rural week is crucial to Limpopo Impala Cricket as it allows the players to showcase their talents as well as representing Limpopo as ambassadors at this tournament.