Bukhosi Mangena Sports Correspondent
THE Heath Streak Academy has partnered with a leading financial services institution to launch the inaugural Old Mutual Colts and Under-13 leagues as part of promoting the game at the grassroots level.
The leagues will run from February 1 to March 19 and teams will be drawn from 16 Bulawayo western suburbs’ schools, which will be funded by Old Mutual through their “My Vision, My Dream” initiative.
Heath Streak Academy chairman Elifasi Mashaba said it was their objective to offer initiatives that give young players exposure to cricket as an institution to promote the game.
“Cricket’s revival in Zimbabwe hinges on how much emphasis is placed on development at the grassroots level. What’s important to us is what we produce at home; what we do at the grassroots level and what systems are in place,” said Mashaba.
“We look at how well we coach our players and youngsters and how well we develop our facilities. These are the things that will make a difference for us and it is these things we need to focus on at this point.”
Mashaba said the country needs to counter its shortcomings at international cricket through a sound and strong junior system.
“It’s been a year now since Old Mutual came on board as title sponsors to the multi-sports structure and their prime objective is to identify and nurture stars who will make the nation proud one day by representing the country at international level as this is exactly what is lacking at the moment,” he said.
The 16 teams will each play three two-legged T20 games between February 1 and 18 on a home and away basis, with the most outstanding players being selected into the Old Mutual Heath Streak Academy Select side that will play against teams from other provinces. The select team will also travel to neighbouring countries for invitational tournaments.
The academy’s coaches Cunningham Ncube and Mxolisi Dube will be responsible for identifying outstanding players throughout the tournament.