Maebane Cricket Club hope to unearth talent and create opportunities
Group leader Thakhani Ligaraba said a sustainable cricket club in Maebane can improve the economy of the village and develop a love for the game.
LIMPOPO – In an effort to unearth local talent and give youngsters the opportunity to develop a passion for cricket, the young boys group of Maebane recently started a cricket club in their home village.
The group leader, Thakhani Ligaraba said the Maebane Cricket Club was started in 2020 to give children in the rural areas the same opportunity to play and learn cricket as those in towns.
“We also want to build a cricket culture in the Kutama area and get kids off the streets by getting them involved in as many sporting codes as possible. With the transformation talks in cricket circles, it is also essential to have such initiatives in the rural areas, where most of the black people live,” Ligaraba added.
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When asked if a proper facility existed for the cricket club, he said that they were planning to have a multi-purpose complex built in Maebane that would give the community the opportunity to live a more active lifestyle.
“With a sustainable cricket club in Maebane, businesses will have something to invest in the community, which in turn can improve the economy of the village. The kids who play cricket will also have the opportunity to make a career out of it or even receiving cricket bursaries from top institutions in the country,” he added.
He said they wanted to introduce cricket in local schools within Kutama, which would improve the facilities and get sponsors.
The cricket club welcomes everyone willing to play cricket.
“The players’ are anything between six and 20 years old, but everyone is welcome. We won’t turn you away,” he said.
Ligaraba said he fell in love with cricket at the age of six.
“I’m passionate about cricket, because it has given me a lot of opportunities and taught me a lot of life skills. I have travelled around the country and created so many brotherhoods through the game of cricket. I love cricket because it teaches one discipline and gives one the opportunity to express oneself, and the fact that it’s a fun sport to play is a bonus,” he added.
