The aim of the tournament was to honour those who had played a crucial role and set the foundation for the likes of the modern teams that were gathered at Yorkshire Oval.
LOOTS Bosman, the former South African international cricketer, successfully hosted the inaugural Easter Memorial Cricket Tournament at the Yorkshire Oval over the past weekend.
Bosman, who is the team manager for the provincial cricket franchise the Northern Cape Heat which is coached by Mark Charlton, had initiated this the first ever cricket tournament to honour, especially former African pioneers and recent players of the sport who are from the greater Galeshewe/Florianville area.
Bosman said the aim of the tournament was “to honour those who had played a crucial role and set the foundation for the likes of the modern teams that were gathered at Yorkshire Oval”.
“It’s not about me. Think about Horatius Molotsi, Kenneth Balepile, Revelation Plaatjies … all the guys who are not here with us today. They played a massive role in laying a foundation in cricket for us.
“We had a great outing. The cream of our youngsters was here. The attendance too was great! We just need the guys at Sport, Arts and Culture to play their role. For a first ever event of this nature the attendance was just great! We have a few struggles but with some of our former guys around things have eased a lot.
“People are here having fun. There are food stalls around. The community is here and everyone had a good time. It’s been fun all round. There were a few big hits,” Bosman said.
Teams that were in attendance included Frank Roro and Frank Roro Legends, Yorkshire Masters and Yorkshire Legends and Sol Plaatje University and invitees Royal Tornadoes.
Gibson Molale of Yorkshire Masters, who is also president of Northern Cape Cricket, said, “We made it a point to be part of this tournament organised by Loots. We have not forgotten him and in doing this we demonstrate that we still honour him and recognise the massively important role that he played in cricket in this province”.
Tshepo Moshoeu, senior sports administrator and member of the Sol Plaatje University XI said, “We primarily came here to feature a team in this inaugural memorial tournament.
“Some of us are also from Yorkshire where we grew up. We commemorate past fallen heroes such as Bawu Plaatjes, Horatius Morutsi, Emmanuel Mokale, Lethole and others, and Donovan Moikwatlhai who passed on recently.
“This is part of honouring them. In future we hope to put up a wall of remembrance for them.”
Of course the scores and records of the day were not as important as the event itself but Bosman could not resists a jibe at the NCC president Molale’s expense saying, “We Yorkshire Legends beat the Yorkshire Masters,” to loud protestation by Molale.
Sunday’s wrap-up leg of the tournament was washed out by incessant rain on the day.
Bosman and Molale have promised a repeat of the tournament next year.
