The union stated that they had learnt with great shock of the passing of Shaheen Richards.
NORTHERN Cape Cricket reacted to the sudden death of Shaheen Richards by releasing a statement on Wednesday.
The union stated that they had learnt with great shock of the passing of Richards who was the founder member of Tornadoes Cricket Club, a former member of the Burma Lads Cricket Club, and a coach in the development programme of Northern Cape Cricket for many years.
“Northern Cape Cricket sends its deepest condolences to his wife, children, his family and all his friends. Shaheen was the son of the great rugby administrator, former president of Griqua Rugby, Mr Baby Richards. He was the nephew of the current acting president of the Members Council, Rihan Richards,” the statement went on to say.
Shaheen’s sudden death will leave a huge void in the cricket fraternity. He was a very committed community man who always availed himself to assist the poor and the destitute.
Richards was very active in the coaching programme in the early 2000s, he also coached regularly in the townships and had a good eye for talent. He was the provincial Under-11 coach for many years, always indicating that he rather wanted to be involved in laying a solid foundation for the Provincial players.
Players who he worked with, amongst many others were Roy Adams, Aubrey Swanepoel, Reeza Hendricks, Abass Mohamed, Ruan Pietersen, Reece Williams and many more.
Mr Riyaad Daniels, a representative from the Burma Lads Cricket Club spoke about this great tragedy: “Kimberley has been hit hard last night. Shaheen Richards the son of well-known Baby Richards, played cricket for Burma Lads and was actively involved in sport as well as the community. We have lost a gentle soul.
“Richards later in his life formed a youth cricket club called Tornadoes where he was actively involved until his untimely death.
“Shaheen Richards, sad and untimely death is a huge blow to the development of cricket. He was a true gentleman, a man of integrity and believed in giving every player an equal opportunity,” Daniels added.
Northern Cape Cricket, and the Frances Baard Cricket Association mourns the death of this cricket gentleman. His family, the cricket fraternity and the community of Kimberley has lost a husband, father, friend and a community man.
The press release ended with: “May Allah grant you the highest Abode in Jannah without any reckoning and put Sabr in the hearts of the family, friends and community.”
