DEFENDING champions and this year’s hosts, the bizhub Highveld Lions, are gearing up for the Momentum eKasi Challenge, the pre-season warm-up match against close rivals the Unlimited Titans, which sees professional cricket being brought to local township ovals.
The matches alternate between being hosted on either team’s home turf. This year the eKasi Challenge is being held on Friday August 22 at the Dobsonville Cricket Oval in Soweto at the Bramfischerville Sports Complex.
The match starts at 09:30 and gates open at 09:00. Bring your family, friends, neighbours and enjoy the day.
At the very heart of the eKasi Challenge is the intention of developing the sport at a grassroots level and using sports as a tool for initiating life-skills training and to inspire township youth. Like last year, this year’s eKasi Challenge includes several events and meaningful engagement opportunities with the local community prior to the match.
“It is very exciting for us to be competing in the second edition of the eKasi Challenge, especially as the team will be able to play in Dobsonville with a view to growing the game in another emerging market area.
“Last year’s game was a massive success in Mamelodi with great support and energy throughout the day. Hopefully we can return the favour and beat the Lions in their back garden this year,” said Rob Walter, Unlimited Titans coach.
To prepare the grounds for professional play, team members from the Lions and volunteers from the Mighty Hearts, Momentum’s staff volunteers’ programme, repainted and refurbished the clubhouse at the Dobsonville Oval on Mandela Day. The pitch is also currently receiving the necessary attention in preparation for a match at this level.
The upgrade of the clubhouses will make a meaningful impact as the facilities are utilised by the local community and schools in the area. The Lions event management staff will be working closely with the members of the Dobsonville Cricket Club so that this can also be a growth experience that, amongst other things, will see skills transfer, as Chris Scott, Head Groundsman of the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, is preparing the playing facilities for the match alongside the groundstaff at Dobsonville Cricket Oval.
To fully capitalise on the match-ready pitch and to highlight local cricket talent, The Gauteng Cricket Board (GCB) will be hosting a development coaching session between the Lions team and selected development cricket players from the Soweto. The hope is that with initiatives like the eKasi Challenge there will be an enduring interest and steady flow of grassroots development of talent moving up the ranks over time. The pre-match warm-up will also be held at the Dobsonville Cricket Oval.
