Temba Bavuma chats to young cricketers

Underprivileged cricketing youngsters got to meet, and learn from, Proteas batsman Temba Bavuma and bizhub Highveld Lions bowler, Nono Pongolo at a recent Temba Bavuma Foundation initiative.

The children came from the Alexandra, Kagiso and Soweto cricket cricket hubs along with smiles on their faces and attitudes ready to soak up all the knowledge these professional players had to offer.

The children were aged 13 to 17 years old. From 9 to 10 August, coaching clinics were held with the youngsters to improve their batting, bowling and fielding at Bidvest Wanderers Stadium. Furthermore, the pro players provided insight from their careers during life skills classes each morning.

“I chose to study [even while playing professional cricket] because I wanted to grow the whole Temba, and not just focus on cricket,” Bavuma said during one of these classes.

Pongolo, who also studied after high school, agreed that it was wise to work hard at school and consider higher education and training, even if one was brilliant at a sport.

“A sports career can only take you to the age of 35 or 40,” he said. “There is lots of time after that. You have to have options for the rest of your life. Don’t have all your eggs in one basket.”

It was obvious that cricket skills were not the only things these two players wished to impart on the youngsters.

The programme left all the children going home having had fun while learning new skills, and also having some things to think about.

Related article:

https://northeasterntribune.co.za/229601/young-cricketers-wanted/