Maqonda Ndlovu
Cricket Namibia (CN) has won three international awards from International Cricket Council (ICC) for the year 2023.
This was announced yesterday by ICC, which recognised Namibia as ICC Development Initiative of the Year, ICC Associate Member Men’s Performance of the Year and Cricket 4 Good Social Impact Initiative of the Year.
According to a press release from CN, the ICC Development Initiative of the Year award came as a result of CN’s Ashburton Mini Cricket development programme that was established in 2009.
“This played a pivotal role in creating awareness of cricket among all communities. With the primary goal to inspire the Namibian child, the programme has witnessed tremendous growth, reaching more than 100 000 children in all fourteen (14) regions of Namibia during 2022,” the statement said
It added that the initiative has successfully introduced cricket to schools in less advantaged communities and fostered inclusivity within the sport.
For the ICC Associate Member Men’s Performance of the Year, the National Men’s Cricket team, known as the Richelieu Eagles, achieved remarkable success in 2022.
They registered Series wins against Uganda, Jersey, Hong Kong and the USA before recording a historic victory against a Full Member nation, Zimbabwe, in a 5-match T20 series in Zimbabwe.
The Eagles managed to cause one of the biggest upsets of the ICC T20 World Cup by beating Sri Lanka by 55 runs on the opening day in Australia.
Finally, for the Cricket 4 Good Social Impact Initiative of the Year, CN’s commitment to social impact and community engagement was showcased by its #Pledge4Pink campaign, aimed at supporting the Cancer Association of Namibia
CN raised awareness and funds for the cancer community through various activities.
“The campaign gathered significant support from corporate entities and individuals, resulting in a substantial donation to assist cancer patients. It managed to create widespread awareness about the cause.
Speaking to New Era Sports soon after the announcement of the awards, CN board chairperson Rudi van Vuuren said it was a great honour for Namibia to win the three awards.
“This is the second year in a row that we have won more than one award from the ICC. Credit must go to the CEO and his staff, the coach and the board members for coming this far,” he said.
He added that the objectives of CN are to grow the sport and develop the sport all over the country and develop great athletes from places that do not have cricket as a sport.
He paid tribute to the current board, saying they have an interest in the sport at heart and they run cricket as a business.
Van Vuuren said having the sport as a professional entity played a role in winning the awards.
This year’s ICC Awards will be held in Durban, South Africa, in July.
Cricket Namibia CEO Johan Muller highlighted that receiving these awards is both a humbling and magnificent experience.
“The company is extremely proud and in the same sense extremely humbled to be the winners of three categories on a global level,” he said.
– jrnmarko@gmail.com