Tourney set to encourage kids to play more cricket
Professional cricketer and right-arm medium pacer, Ethy Mbhalati, who hails from Lulekani, Phalaborwa will host a number of cricket tournaments in the province starting early next year
POLOKWANE – Professional cricketer and right-arm medium pacer, Ethy Mbhalati, who hails from Lulekani, Phalaborwa will host a number of cricket tournaments in the province starting early next year.
Mbhalati made his first-class debut for Northerns in 2002/03. He represented the South Africa-A team and he also plays for the Titans. Mbhalati made history when he became the first South African to score a hat-trick in the Standard Bank Pro20 Series. In 2012, he was included in the Titans squad ahead of the Champions League T20.
The Ethy Mbhalati Cup Limpopo 2016 is a collaboration with Fatima Sports and Future Stars Cricket Academy. Mbhalati who has been playing professional cricket for the past 11 years, saw the opportunity to encourage children with this initiative to play more cricket.
Mbhalati said the cup aims to create an opportunity for young aspiring cricketers in the province to showcase their talent and to encourage others to take up the sport.
We believe in creating a competitive sporting environment for the children and also creating a family atmosphere for all those involved in this cup. We believe this will be a great programme and through its implementation we hope to encourage a sporting culture and overcome the cultural diversity in our local community and province.
The Ethy Mbhalati Cup Limpopo 2016 is scheduled to start on Friday, 29 January and will continue every Friday until 18 March at the Polokwane Cricket Club.
All the games will be played in the afternoon.
Schools in around the city have been invited to take part in this tournament at R5 000 per team or franchise.
There are only eight spots available for this leg which is for u/11 and u/12 children.
Jack Senetla, tournament director, said this is the first edition of the Ethy Mbhalati Cup Limpopo and they look forward to crowning the winners. “We look forward to the tourney and I hope citizens, cricket fanatics and cricket teams will support the tournament.
“This initiative is all about grooming new talent and giving aspiring cricketers the platform to showcase their talent on the field,” explained Senetla.
“We urge businesses who are interested to come on board as sponsors for this initiative. This promises to be an exciting and competitive tournament. A team will be chosen after the tournament to participate against teams from Pretoria and Johannesburg, Gauteng.”
Any enquiries can be directed to Ethy Mbhalati on 081 863 3837 or Jack Senetla on 083 767 4823 or send an e-mail to futurestarsgroup@yahoo.com.
