For World Sports Betting (WSB) Eastern Storm bowler Martin Khumalo, the journey to professional cricket began with a simple love for the game nurtured through KFC Mini-Cricket.

The Wattville resident returned to his roots on September 11 when he joined volunteer coaches and professional players to take young hopefuls through their paces at the Easterns KFC Mini-Cricket Festival at WSB Willowmoore Park.

Khumalo knows first-hand the impact the programme can have, having started his own cricket journey through Mini-Cricket before progressing through the age-group ranks, representing South Africa at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in 2024 and eventually making his Eastern Storm debut.

“I started very young, playing Mini-Cricket. It made me fall in love with cricket. It opened doors for me. I never saw myself turning professional, but I continued playing out of love for the sport,” he said.

Khumalo believes the programme plays an important role in growing the sport through mass participation while helping young players develop beyond the cricket field.

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“It helps build the character of a young child who is yet to discover his or her capabilities. It also helps you to be and play the sport freely.”

Former Proteas spinner and newly appointed Eastern Storm Colts coach Aaron Phangiso shared Khumalo’s sentiments, saying Mini-Cricket was also where his love for the game began.

“It’s the foundation of cricket. A lot of players started here. I started here myself. That’s what made me fall in love with the game. If you look at today, it looks amazing,” said Phangiso.

“If I can recall my first memory, it was exactly like this, everyone looking the same. It’s something I didn’t get a lot in the township. To see that there’s a sport that has participants and brings people together, for me, that was amazing. I fell in love with that.”

Phangiso believes programmes such as KFC Mini-Cricket are vital in unearthing and nurturing the next generation of Proteas while providing youngsters with a positive environment.

“It instils discipline. South Africa is struggling a lot with drugs. KFC Mini-Cricket takes them off the streets and gives them something to look forward to,” he said.

“In terms of cricket, it’s the foundation. You cannot have a Kagiso Rabada without Mini-Cricket.

“Out of the thousands of children here today, there’s a Temba Bavuma, Aaron Phangiso and Rabada. We just need to nurture them. I’m also glad to see dedicated volunteer coaches. That’s what we want — showing dedication to our children.”

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