Staff Reporter.
Newly appointed Central Gauteng Lions Assistant coach, Jimmy Kgamadi engaging with the kids of Itirele Primary School during the 2021 KFC Mini Cricket Activation at Itirele Primary School in Klerksdorp on the 26 May 2021 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) in partnership with KFC hosted four thrilling mini-festivals at various schools featuring CSA mascot, ZAC and provincial ambassadors between 25-26 May, beginning with Inyathelo Primary in Kanana on Tuesday, before moving to Akofang Primary in Jouberton later on the day.
On Wednesday, the fun returned to Jouberton, with Itirele Primary School taking centre stage during the morning session before the final stop in Klerksdorp, where the KFC Mini-Cricket team at Educator’s Primary School rounded off the two-day spectacle.
These KFC Mini-Cricket Activation Programme form part of a 2020/21 KFC Mini-Cricket season relaunch undertaken by CSA to help provide an enjoyable but more importantly, safe environment for the kids to get active after a prolonged absence caused by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
Ahead of the resumption, to ensure the players, coaches and teachers’ safety, KFC Mini-Cricket identified non-hotspot regions across the country where non-contact school sport can take place.
They have also procured Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and sanitisers for all participating schools, provided extra playing equipment to limit sharing between players, as well as arrange a Safety Officer to help facilitate the COVID-19 protocols for each school.
CSA’s Mass Participation Coordinator, Buhle Motshegoa is pleased with how the North West-leg of the KFC Mini-Cricket Regional Festivals went, highlighting the visible passion for the game as well as the bright talent on show in the province. A province that produced the likes of Momentum Proteas star, Lizelle Lee, Proteas all-rounder, Dwaine Pretorius and Central Gauteng Lions player, Jonty Rapulana.
“We are happy that the 2020/21 KFC Mini-Cricket season was able to get underway in the form of the Activation Programmes and that once again we get to see our mini cricketers and coaches play with smiles on their faces,” Motshegoa commented.
“As soon as we set foot in Kanana, you could sense the excitement in the air, and passion for the game of cricket from all those involved in making the two-day cricketing spectacle a resounding success, while we strictly adhered to the COVID-19 health regulations.
“Although getting kids active in a fun and enjoyable way is the main goal, we also got to witness some sensational talent on the field, between both the boys and girls. This bodes well, not only for the growth of the KFC Mini-Cricket programme but also for the South African cricket pipeline,” she added.