The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
IN what is a massive boost for cricket development in the country, Zimbabwe Cricket and PPC Zimbabwe are on the verge of entering into a partnership which will see concrete nets as well as centre wickets constructed in 60 schools situated in six provinces with the project estimated to cost $90 000.
ZC head of cricket affairs, Givemore Makoni said the arrangement between ZC and PPC Zimbabwe was nearing finalisation stage. The beneficiaries will be schools in the six ZC associate provinces, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Masvingo. In each province, 10 schools stand to benefit from the venture over a two year period.
“The partnership between Zimbabwe Cricket and PPC to construct training and playing facilities in six of its associate provinces has been agreed in principle. It’s the numbers in terms of the numbers of practice nets and centre wickets each school will get, we are currently working on. The project will start this year and soon as we put pen to paper and its most likely going to be a two year project,’’ said Makoni.
According to the plan, PPC Zimbabwe will make available the cement while ZC as well as the schools have to provide the rest that is required for the construction to take place.
“PPC will provide the cement for the facilities while schools and Zimbabwe Cricket will provide other inputs like labour, sands, poles, mesh wire and the expertise. ZC is likely to work with the local experts is training and playing facilities construction. The total costs of the whole project is at an estimated costs of USD$90 000,00,’’ Makoni said.
In terms of benefits to be derived from the initiative, Makoni said it will give exposure and opportunities to the underprivileged children of these communities, help ZC achieve one of its objectives of spreading the game to the four corners of Zimbabwe. At the same time, PPC Zimbabwe will help to contribute to cricket development in Zimbabwe by providing facilities that will allow the nurturing of potential players in their home and cultural environment and also help in providing additional and meaningful entertainment these communities.
Makoni expressed ZC’s gratitude to have PPC Zimbabwe partner them in this cricket development enterprise with the hope being that the relationship will see the country churn out quality cricketers.
“Zimbabwe Cricket is excited to have PPC producers of premium quality cement as one of its game development partners, we hope ours will be a long term relationship that will see us produce well-polished and quality cricketers who will be able to hold their own at the global stage just like the PPC cement that has led the way and stood the test of time,’’ Makoni said.
The impending partnership between ZC and PPC Zimbabwe should play an enormous role in the betterment of the game in the associate provinces. Despite lack of facilities and equipment, youngsters in the six provinces continue to play the sport. A National Association of Secondary Heads provincial Under-20 boys tournament took place at Mosi-Oa-Tunya High School in Victoria Falls last Thursday and Friday where most of the provinces were represented.
— @Mdawini_29
