Mini-cricket players during a training clinic in Soweto in 2014. Picture: Left Shivambu/Gallo Images
The KFC Mini-Cricket programme will return home this weekend when the 40th edition of the development programme is wrapped up in Soweto.
Since it was first introduced in the historic township in 1982, the successful national Mini-Cricket programme has provided an entry for youth players on the basics of batting, bowling and fielding in the six-a-side format, while also nurturing volunteer coaches and administrators.
Over the last 40 years, Mini-Cricket has also produced a host of Proteas players with the annual participation growing to over 126,000 players, 13,000 coaches and more than 6,000 schools.
“KFC Mini-Cricket forms part of CSA’s core vision of providing access into the sport of cricket for
South Africans from all walks of life, standing the test of time over the last four decades to become one of
the longest-running sports development programmes on the continent,” said Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Pholetsi Moseki.
“In an exceptional 40-year anniversary season that saw the programme’s records broken during a
mega festival at the start of the season and the objective of playing 70,000 matches throughout the
season, the campaign is aptly culminating with a close-out event at the initiative’s native home in
Soweto.
“On behalf of the countless players, coaches and administrators who bore the fruits of the Mini-
Cricket programme and have gone on to reach great heights within the game and in life, I would like
to congratulate everyone involved on a remarkable 40 years and may the future hold great success.”
ALSO READ: KFC Mini-Cricket still going strong – and crucial for the growth of the game
More than 400 boys and girls between the ages of six and 13 will take part in matches hosted by Soweto Cricket Club at Elkah Stadium on Saturday.
Proteas men and women players will also be present before the day-long festival, which will be streamed live on the CSA YouTube channel, ends with a trip to the famous Vilakazi Street.
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