Windhoek
The FNB Kwata Cricket finals got off to a great start at the Wanderers Sports Grounds in Windhoek recently with eight teams grilling each other in both the boys and girls categories.
“The format of the tourney allowed eight cricketers per team, giving all participants an equal opportunity to bat, bowl and field in all fielding positions,” says John Heynes, Cricket Namibia Operations Manager.
“This particular methodology enhances cricketers’ awareness of running between wickets, while it also teaches them to think for themselves at a very young age. Most importantly, we encourage them to have fun and make new friends.”
In the A league, WAP cilinched gold, while St Paul’s was victorious in the B league against WAP. A total of 22 teams participated in the league consisting of eight players per team, totalling 176 learners.
Each of the participating schools received a Kwata Cricket kit per team consisting of two cricket bats, six stumps, two stump bases, four bails and two soft cricket balls.
FNB Namibia joined the Kwata Cricket movement last year pledging a handsome amount of N$425 000 per year over the next three years, while it will also provide playing gear for the playing personnel and coaches.
Manager of Sponsorships and Donations at FNB Namibia, Ingrid Goeieman, expressed the joy of the bank with the growth of cricket in Namibia over the last six years.
“Kwata Cricket has proven to be extremely popular and we enjoy supporting initiatives that bring Namibians together.”
The ultimate aim of the programme is to encourage the growth and development of cricket among all children under 10 years – a group that was previously largely neglected because of problems encountered with old-fashioned traditional coaching methods.
Being too young for the traditional and longer version of the game, a modified version was created to ensure children can participate and enjoy the game without limits – the key ingredients of Kwata Cricket.