EXPERIENCED and retired cricketers in Merebank have come together to revive the culture of sport among the youth in the area, focusing mainly on cricket.

The aim of this initiative is to give back to their own community.

On Sunday, December 8, the Merebank Cricket Club hosted training sessions for both adults and youngsters, aiming to revive the passion for cricket and inspire a new generation of players.

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Pastor Victor Kupsamy, a driving force behind the initiative, expressed the importance of giving back to the community, to help keep the youth engaged and away from negative influences.

“We have two teams affiliated with the KZN Cricket Union. We also want to encourage our children to take up this sport. Next year, we will introduce mini cricket at primary school level,” said Kupsamy.

He said that the Merebank Cricket Club, which had been a stalwart in the community for 61 years, was committed to creating more opportunities for local youth.

Chairperson of the Merebank Cricket Club, Rocky Sewkumar, expressed optimism for the future, stating that he was working to affiliate a third team with the league for the upcoming season.

“Merebank once had a very vibrant cricket community. For some reason, the flavour has been lost. However, with the support of the KZN Cricket Union, we are confident we can bring the sport back to life here,” said Sewkumar.

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This initiative also aims to encourage junior and aspirant players to progress through the cricket ranks. Sewkumar said he was keen to see local players join the union leagues, where they could develop their skills and eventually move on to senior leagues.

Kupsamy also appealed to parents, urging them to encourage their children to take up any sport.

“We believe that sport can help keep children off the streets and provide them with valuable life skills,” he said.

Those interested in playing cricket or learning more about the club’s activities can contact Pastor Kupsamy on 073 510 0011.

With community support and a renewed focus on youth involvement, the Merebank Cricket Club hopes to restore the spirit of cricket in the area.

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