Central Gauteng Lions CEO looks forward to what the year has to offer
DP World Lions cricket looks forward to the SA T20 men's competition starting in March and hope to be crowned champions.
Central Gauteng Lions Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jono Leaf-Wright is excited about the future of Lions Cricket after the recent performance of the SA U19 at the recent ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024.
Kwena Maphaka was named the Player of the Tournament. The 17-year-old record-breaking pace bowler’s success against the world’s best abroad was rivalled only by his youth teammates locally.
Leaf-Wright said he attributes the recent wins to the effectiveness of their programme. “Our Telkom Talent Acceleration Programme and indeed overall pipeline success has to do with the focus and prioritisation of our development programme throughout our organisation. It helps us turn grassroots talent into greatness.”
He added that as an organisation the Lions won seven trophies and were acknowledged by the industry as being Sports Organisation of the Year at the 2023 Hollard Sports Industry Awards.
The talent in the Lions Cricket U16 girls’ team is as exciting, Neo Molefe, scored back-to-back centuries without losing her wicket in the opening two games and was named both batter and player of the tournament.
Leaf-Wright noted that the success witnessed in women’s cricket was due to the game growing substantially at both school and club levels.
“Last year, the Lions Cricket U16 girls won their national week whilst the U18 girls finished third. This shows the strength and depth of the talent pipeline we have in the province and that our partnerships and all our other valued partners are thriving.”
In terms of future events, he added that he was hoping to build on the success of the Betway SA20 as the year progressed.
“Our 4-day DP World Lions team is in contention for the final in the longer format of the game. We have the Domestic SA T20 men’s competition starting in March and are hoping to be crowned champions.”
The Lions team was crowned the T20 Champions last year and are hoping to defend their title.
Related Article: DP World Lions head coach looks forward to 2024 season
