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Learners gear up at KFC Mini Cricket Tournament – (Gallery)

Rishi Nanan of the Newcastle and Districts Cricket Association (NDCA), said the intention and purpose of the cricket festival was to showcase the sport and to bridge the gap between softball and hardball cricket.

August 18, 2018

Zianne Leibrandt 1 minute read

Siphumelele Primary School players were among guests at the festival.

Pursuing your love for sport takes passion, drive, enthusiasm and a whole lot of hard work.

These are the values instilled into the minds of the young boys and girls who participated in the KFC Mini Cricket Festival, which was held this past Saturday (August 11), at the Paradise Sports Grounds.

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Primary schools learners from the Newcastle area gathered there to show off their cricket skills and meet other young cricketers.

Rishi Nanan of the Newcastle and Districts Cricket Association (NDCA), said the intention and purpose of the cricket festival was to showcase the sport and to bridge the gap between softball and hardball cricket.

“The festival was to show aspiring children, their parents and teachers that there is more to mini cricket after the ages of nine years for boys and thirteen years for girls where they move over to hardball cricket.”

Following the festival activities, the NDCA hosted a 20-over cricket match between Newcastle Presidents XI and Varsity College of Pietermaritzburg, in which Newcastle Presidents XI lost by just 10 runs.

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Varsity College set the total at 104 runs, and Newcastle Presidents XI made 94 runs.

Speaking during the festival, Nana said the KFC Mini Cricket Festival was designed to keep school children active, playing frequently and enjoying cricket all aspects, from batting and bowling to wicket keeping and fielding.

“These are the fundamentals, from where the development of our future Proteas cricketing stars originate.”