The Sunday News
THE Heath Streak Cricket Academy has been rechristened the Old Mutual Heath Streak Academy in appreciation of the “title sponsors’’ Old Mutual, Sunday News Sport can reveal.
The fledgling multi-sports academy has also shown gratitude to long time benefactor Raj Modi by naming the facility Old Mutual Raj Modi Multi Sports Arena.
The developments were disclosed by the facility’s chief executive officer and executive director Joseph Rego yesterday.
Old Mutual is a diversified international financial services group which is listed on the stock exchange in London, South Africa, Malawi, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
“We are proud and honoured by this association (with Old Mutual) and this partnership has taken us to another level,’’ said Rego.
“Two great names Heath Streak, the iconic former national cricket captain and philanthropist Raj Modi, Bulawayo’s business mogul are a brand not only in Bulawayo but across the country. Streak for his contribution to the nation in the field of cricket and Modi for his contribution to society towards community development. These two big names (that are) attached to the academy have put the multi-sports facility on the world map,’’ said Rego.
Meanwhile, national team cricketer Chris Mpofu will spearhead the grassroots development for age groups programme initiated by Rego whose aim is to produce stars capable of restoring Zimbabwe to its past cricketing glory.
The programme that has started with a bang has been described by parents of budding cricketers as a marvel and a revival path for Zimbabwean cricket.
Rego felt that a return to the pinnacle would have to involve a renewed emphasis on coaching through various age groups.
“What’s important to me is what we produce at home, what we do at the grassroots level and what systems are in place. We look at how well we coach our players and youngsters and how well we develop our facilities.
“These are the things for me that would make a difference and things we need to focus on at this point,’’ the sports development genius told a gathering of parents at the launch of the grassroots development programme for age groups at the academy premises yesterday.
The academy has split their talented products into four age groups namely, Under-8, Colts, Under-14 and Under-16.
Rego urged cricket enthusiasts to enrol for the programme by contacting Samu Nkiwane the academy’s chief administrator.
