ZIMBABWE Cricket executive, Givemore Makoni, the association’s Managing Director said club cricket is the heartbeat of game development in the country and should be accorded all the support.
Speaking ahead of the National Premier League that gets underway on Saturday, Makoni said ZC will continue to create an enabling environment for club cricket.
“Club cricket lies at the heart of our sport. Far from the glitz and glamour on the international scene, it is at club level where raw talent is honed, strategies are tested and a love for the game is solidified,” he said.
“For the aspiring cricketer, this is where they get their first taste of competitive cricket and develop their core skills. For the international or seasoned player, regular club games provide a consistent environment for them to practice batting, bowling, and fielding techniques against opponents of varying skill levels.”
The eagerly anticipated NPL games begin this weekend with all 14 teams in action on either Saturday or Sunday across five venues.
Harare’s Old Hararirians Sports Club, Mutare Sports Club, Masvingo Sports Club, Kwekwe Sports Club, and Kadoma Sports Club are the places to be for the country’s domestic Premier Club cricket games.
The teams participating in this fourth edition are Gladiators who will be up against Mbizo on Saturday at Old Hararians, Westside entertaining defending champions Takashinga Patriots 1 at Mutare Sports Club, new boys Sogo Rangers hosting Amakhosi at Masvingo Sports Club, and Takashinga Patriots 2 who are at home against Bulawayo Athletic Club at Kwekwe Sports Club completing day one of thrilling games.
“The NPL is a demonstration of our commitment to investing time, energy, and resources into club cricket- the lifeblood of our national game,” he said.
“Beyond offering prize monies and providing grants to participating clubs to cover match day-related expenses, our ultimate goal is to make the NPL the biggest and richest sporting tournament in Zimbabwe.”
Day two sees Rimuka host Rainbow at Kadoma Sports Club, Queens face Strikers at Kwekwe Sports Club while Knights battle it out against Scorpions at Masvingo Sports Club on Sunday.