Seshego learners celebrate 40 years of KFC Mini Cricket
Thato Rapano, aspiring young cricketer from Seshego said he was happy to meet some of the professional cricket players from Limpopo Impala Cricket who took their time to share their cricket knowledge and help them sharpen their game.
POLOKWANE – KFC Mini-Cricket celebrated 40 years of existence, with aspiring cricketers from Seshego at the Seshego Stadium on April 19.
The event saw players learning the fundamental skills of cricket including bowling, batting and fielding.
This was done to encourage them to play the game in a fun and friendly way.
Thato Rapano, aspiring young cricketer from Seshego said he was happy to meet some of the professional cricket players from Limpopo Impala Cricket who took their time to share their cricket knowledge and help them sharpen their game.
”They showed how to bowl, bat and how to catch the ball properly. We had fun and we met other learners who love cricket. We are motivated and happy with the sponsors who came on board to help us achieve our dreams.”
David Mokopanele, mass participation manager at Cricket South Africa said KFC Mini-Cricket prides itself on being one of South Africa’s premier development programmes, with an impact that stretches beyond just the cricket field.
“Over the years, the programme has unearthed the talent of now household professional cricketers and administrators, as well as develop astute citizens and ardent cricket fans. This year, instead of the main provincial stadia, the festivals will move back to grassroots to community fields in the hope that we reach every child in the country and provide them with the opportunity to play the sport. We want to elongate our story 40 years on and celebrate the programme while continuing to build the stars of tomorrow.”
Andra Nel, KFC marketing manager for brand and purpose, praised the Limpopo cricket community for a spectacular event.
“It has been a bumper cricket season this year with our kids being able to watch first-class cricket at its best, and through our community festivals, it is their time to shine. Our festivals are unique in that the playing field is leveled and our children can play together no matter where they come from, and they get the chance to cast aside any challenges they might be facing. We are proud to be a partner in cricket and to be able to afford our youths the opportunity to play the game they love and give them a chance to dream and achieve goals.”
Nthabiseng Phosa, Limpopo Cricket Union Coordinator, said KFC Mini-Cricket is a fantastic programme with discipline being a key life skill.
“Teachers tell me that the kids in the programme are disciplined in class as well, which I love to hear. Over 80% of the kids in my programme come from rural areas and cricket has been a good addition in the community. In fact, the interest is so good that I have raised funding from local businesses to expand it and we now play games in the streets as well. Cricket has been a sport that we have not had previously had access to, and introducing KFC Mini-Cricket has changed the lives of so many in the community.”
