In 2010, Australian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mathew Neuhaus launched a similar project through creating a top-class playing facility for cricket in the densely populated suburb of Kwekwe.
The $15,000 fund used to put together the facility came from the family of international sportsperson John Gardiner and fell under the Gardiner’s Bomko and Lays franchise.
In the latest development, the MCA has roped in famous sportsperson Charles Office to set up an academy at Gweru Sports Club, with the aim of tapping talent from the youth, especially those still at school.
When The Zimbabwean paid a recent visit to the academy, Kindle Cricket Academy, a number of children had already started thronging the venue, a development that is likely to go a long way in boosting the sport’s fortunes in the Midlands capital.
One of the trainers said their short term plan was to build enthusiasm in cricket among the upcoming players and in the process convince their guardians to believe in the vision.
“If that plan is achieved, then we will be certain of getting excellent cricket players like we had in the 90s. We are confident that will be achieved,” said the trainer.
He added that although there were still some challenges – like the poor playing field, efforts were being made to ensure that was corrected addressed.
“A junior development programme for cricket like the one we have started has proved to be useful in many countries. Accordingly, we are banking on that past success to ensure our contributions go towards improving standards of the sport in the country at large,” he added.
The province has one national cricket league side, Mid-West Rhinos, who stand to benefit immensely from the project.
Post published in: Cricket