Sempe’s dedication finally pays off
As Sempe is an avid cricketer, he dreams of being noticed by a scout for a franchise team.
POLOKWANE – Last week, Review reported on Katlego Sempe who, along with Hector Ngobeni, has been chosen for the Titans Franchise Colts Team who will be participating at the Cricket South Africa Franchise Academy Colts Week in February. Both players are part of the Limpopo Impala Cricket team
Recently, we learned that he was also chosen for the Titans Academy Team and Review caught up with Sempe while in the Western Cape, playing cricket.
“I’ve learnt never to expect anything,” Sempe says.
“I wanted to be the best batsman at the trials and that finally paid off. We played three 50 over matches against Northerns and Easterns and the last day was a mixed team. I did pretty well throughout the trials with my best performance coming on the last day. I was excited to be a part of an awesome franchise like the Titans but for me it was more than that, it was about inspiring other Limpopo cricketers.”
As Sempe is an avid cricketer, he dreams of being noticed by a scout for a franchise team and says he would love to be noticed and given a franchise academy contract and work his way up.
He explains there is a difference between three-day cricket and one day cricket.
“With your limited over cricket, you tend to take more risks in terms of shot selection whereas with three day cricket, you become more careful.”
He says the amount of time you have to score runs allows you to be more relaxed.
“Playing in Oudtshoorn is a very different environment, it is hot and dry,” he explains
He says his biggest challenge has been adapting to the pitch conditions.
Sempe dreams of playing for the Proteas and says it would be an honour to play for his country, as long as he is playing cricket he is happy, no matter what team it is. He would also love to play for the VKB Knights.
“I would love to play at two of my favourite grounds which are Lord’s in England and the MCG in Australia,”
Sempe concludes with his favourite cricketing quote: “The fans can make you famous. A contract can make you rich. The press can make you a superstar. But only the love can make you a player.”
