Mini-Cricket celebrates four decades

Cricket South Africa (CSA) and KFC concluded the 2022/23 KFC Mini-Cricket season journeying back to the grassroots with the final community festival held at the Soweto Cricket Oval.

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‘Back to our Roots’ was the theme of this season’s close out campaign.

The theme recognises the significance of Soweto as the base from which the Mini-Cricket programme was kick-started in 1982, which went on to spread throughout the country.

The Soweto Cricket Oval KFC Mini-Cricket community festival followed community festivals that were held across the country in the last three months.

These celebrated the success of the programme 40 years on.

CSA, KFC, Proteas Men and Women, SA U19 alumni and cricket legends attended the festival which saw the mini-cricketers of 6 – 13 years old taking part in multiple fun-filled Mini-Cricket matches against the legends.

Six surrounding primary schools from Soweto with over 400 kids were in attendance;

Dr Mary Malahlela Primary School, Lodirile Primary, Samuel Mangala Primary, Senyamo Primary, St Angelas Primary and Thabang Primary.

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Attendees included legends of the game and the programme at large. Harmony Tshinga and Johnson Mafa were joined by KFC Mini Cricket Coach of the year 2022, Ntate Jerry Thulo, and people who made an indelible contribution to the programme with coaches such as Vezi Phetheni and Tholang Hlalelele in attendance.

“One of CSA’s strategic objectives is providing opportunities for all those who want to play the game, and throughout the years, the mini-cricket programme has managed to uphold those objectives,” said CSA Chief Executive, Pholetsi Moseki.

“CSA prides itself for nurturing the Mini-Cricket programme that today, tells success stories 40 years on.

“Our hope is to continue cradling these future stars and citizens to be the best versions of themselves, who can go and represent the game at all levels.”

He went on to thank KFC for being part of the programme throughout the years as they made cricket accessible to local communities.

Andra Nel, KFC Marketing Manager Brand and Purpose, praised all involved in the 2022/23 KFC Mini-Cricket season.

“Today’s community festival was a resounding success and a perfect way to end an exceptional cricket season,” said Nel.

“The match between the KFC Mini-Cricket kids and cricket legends, members of the media as well as Cricket SA and KFC representatives proved that the programme is much more than simply providing sports coaching.

“It is about shaping future community members, role models and leaders and most importantly levelling the playing field.”