‘Northern Cape Cricket is really excited to host such an event because these opportunities don’t come very often’ – Gibson Molale, President of Northern Cape Cricket.
WITH Kimberley standing on the cusp of making South African sports history, Gibson Molale, President of Northern Cape Cricket (NCC), shared his excitement about the upcoming inaugural T20 School Cricket Tournament in an exclusive interview with the Diamond Field Advertiser (DFA). The tournament is set to take place at the renowned Diamond Oval this weekend.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the event, Molale emphasised its significance, stating, “Northern Cape Cricket is really excited to host such an event because these opportunities don’t come very often.”
This tournament marks a significant milestone for the region, providing Northern Cape schools with the chance to compete against some of the best schools in the country.
Molale underscored the importance of hosting such a tournament on home soil, noting that it could help retain local talent, saying, “Parents will understand that we have been losing many young talents to other provinces because we don’t have such big tournaments taking place on our home soil, so this is going to be special.”
In addition to showcasing cricket talent, the event also aims to promote inclusivity. Molale announced the participation of the HUB – made up of disadvantaged schools in the area. Three HUB schools will collaborate to form a team, offering their students the opportunity to compete against top schools and display their skills on the field.
Molale highlighted the NCC’s commitment to retaining local talent through initiatives like the Young Heat programme, which aims to keep young players in the province. This weekend’s tournament aligns with their mission to identify and nurture cricket talent within the Northern Cape, preparing young athletes for future success in the sport.
Thus far during his two-year tenure, Molale has actively worked to secure more cricket games for the Diamond Oval, including women’s matches. He proudly shared, “I have secured two women’s games that will be played here. Bangladesh will be playing here in December, while the Protea Women will also be playing here this year.”
These efforts have brought international cricket to Kimberley, exemplified by last year’s thrilling match between England and South Africa.
In a passionate call to the Northern Cape community, Molale urged everyone to support this initiative, saying, “Let’s come and support our children, and let’s show South Africa that we do have the muscle to host this event.”
The NCC President seems to firmly believe that the success of this tournament can pave the way for even more prestigious cricket events in the region. This became obvious when he said to the DFA, “If rugby can do it then, hell, cricket can do it as well.”
