The lack of cricket facilities around Kathorus has not deterred two players, Kgotso Madalane and Ethan Letletle, both 14 years old, from pursuing their ambitions to become the best cricketers in the country.

The two talented players, members of the Vosloorus Cricket Club, admitted that what hinders them from reaching the top in the sport they love is the lack of proper training facilities in Kathorus.

During an exclusive interview with the Kathorus Mail at the Vosloorus Stadium, the two boys, who have received glowing accolades from local cricket fundis, were hailed as teens with the talent to soar to the stars in the game of cricket.

Kgotso, an exceptional player from Vosloorus, said he fell in love with the game long before he started playing cricket at Nageng Primary School in Grade Two.

He explained that he held a cricket bat and ball for the first time during the KFC Mini-Cricket Festival at the Willowmoore Park Cricket Stadium before joining his school’s cricket team.

“I’m an all-rounder now, but when I started playing, I enjoyed being a batsman. After the KFC Mini-Cricket Festival, I was recruited by my teacher, Semakeleng Mathibela-Pinzi, the school cricket coach at the time. I didn’t hesitate because I loved cricket and joined the school team. My school teacher has been my coach and mentor ever since, and I have never looked back. Now, I play at club level for the U14 team of the Vosloorus Cricket Club,” said Kgotso.

He acknowledged the encouragement of his school teacher and coach for facilitating his move to join the Vosloorus Cricket Club. He admitted, though, that his biggest drawback so far is that his school, Lethulwazi Comprehensive, does not have a cricket team.

“There are no proper cricket facilities to use to train at the Vosloorus Cricket Club, which is also a struggle. We can’t prepare well for our cricket season, which starts in September. Although we have challenges in the local cricket fraternity, that won’t stop me from achieving my goal of becoming the best cricket player in the country and donning the SA team colours one day,” said Kgotso.

Ethan, from Zonkizizwe south of Kathorus, another brilliant young player, is also a proud member of the Vosloorus Cricket Club. He laments the fact that cricket does not get the same recognition as other sports in the townships.

“Even where I stay in Zonkizizwe, there are no cricket facilities, and my school, Zonkizizwe Secondary, does not have a cricket team or facilities for professional or aspiring young cricketers to play or train. But I try to use what I have to stay fit for my club matches,” said Ethan.

“I joined the Vosloorus Cricket Club in 2020 and have been there ever since. My ambition is to represent SA one day, and I believe it is possible. I just have to train hard to make sure my dream becomes a reality.”

He expressed a desire to see more locals support the sport, highlighting that cricket is enjoyable.

“I believe that if cricket facilities are built in Kathorus, more young people would be attracted to the sport, because it offers as many opportunities as any other sporting code.”

Semakeleng Mathibela-Pinzi, part of the executive team at the Vosloorus Cricket Club and the cricket coach at Nageng Primary School, said the lack of cricket facilities in Kathorus was disheartening.

“I was a cricket player. I played for the Vosloorus Cricket Club years ago, coached by Mike Moremi and others, and my frustration has always been that cricket is a wonderful sport, but is being neglected and not supported by the authorities. Back then, there were no proper facilities for cricket in Kathorus, and even now, we still don’t have any,” said Pinzi.

He mentioned that he plans to establish a cricket academy that will produce the best players.

“Through the local cricket academy, I want to see the establishment of a professional cricket structure in Kathorus that will be beneficial to all professional and aspiring players. There are many players with potential, but because the sport is not given the necessary support, most just give up. I intend to change that. I am appealing to Good Samaritans to lend a helping hand so we can revive this great sport in the township,” Pinzi said.

Any Good Samaritans who want to assist can call Mathibela-Pinzi on 079 756 0794.