Staff Reporter.
CSA Mascot ZAC in action with pupil from Tiyo Soga Primary School at KFC Mini-Cricket Activation Programme at Tiyo Soga Primary School in Centane on 27 May 2021 © Bheki Radebe/Backpages.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) in partnership with KFC hosted four thrilling cricket spectacles featuring the official CSA mascot, ZAC, and provincial ambassadors including Border Cricket stalwart and ex-Protea, Mfuneko Ngam and Momentum Proteas’ Zintle Mali, who engaged with the learners.
The first stop was at the Old Bunting Junior Secondary School in Ngqeleni before they proceeded to Tiyo Soga Primary School in Centane later in the day. The week was rounded off by activations at Masobhuza Primary School in Lusikisiki and finally, Esitofini Primary School.
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 inland Eastern Cape-leg of the KFC Mini-Cricket Regional Festivals went, highlighting the huge excitement for the programme as well as the bright talent on show in the province. A province that produced the likes of Proteas legends; Makhaya Ntini and Mark Boucher, along with former mini-cricketer and current Proteas Women star, Ayabonga Khaka.
“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 Ngqeleni, 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.