Go out and find the next Thami Tsolekile, Makhaya Ntini and Temba Bavuma. That was the strong message Cricket South Africa sent out to its affiliates across the country yesterday at the launch of their improved national excellence programme in Langa.
South Africa’s national cricket body is determined “to unlock all the talent available in our country, especially black African” by significantly increasing its investment (from R8-million to R17-million) to ensure that its Regional Performance Centres (“RPCs”) and Hubs programmes is one of excellence that provides aspirant Proteas access to facilities and quality coaching and life skills programmes.
Tsolekile, a former Proteas Test wicket-keeper and Cape Cobras and Highveld Lions captain, hails from the cricket-rich Western Cape township and believes this initiative will go along way in ensuring that the playing fields are levelled between the haves and the have-nots.
“A lot of better cricketers than me have come from Langa, but unfortunately they did not have the opportunities that I have had in this new era,” Tsolekile said yesterday. “I think the new structure will really benefit not only Langa Cricket Club but also the schools in the surrounding areas. The challenge in the townships has always been about having the right structures and facilities, but this has been wonderfully addressed now. Before if you went to a school in the township your chances would be slim (to become a Proteas), but ultimately what I would like to see is a young cricketer in Langa being granted the same opportunities that a boy at Bishops has.”
It is a well-known fact that the majority of the current Proteas stem from “traditional cricket schools” and CSA manager of cricket and former Proteas coach Corrie van Zyl hopes this initiative will hopefully cast the net wider. “The current crop of schools produce 80percent of our national Protea players and this program is designed to broaden our base and access all our cricketing talent so that we can ensure future growth and sustainability,” he explained. - The Star