A positive initiative in promotion of cricket took place for the first time in Merafong on October 24 at Carleton Jones High School.

According to the Gauteng Lions Mini Cricket Coordinator for the Central Gauteng Lions, Lebohang Motloutsi, they were contacted in regards to bringing back cricket in the area.

She mentioned that they host different tournaments around schools in the Gauteng province and mini cricket is the foundation here they are targeting boys from five to 11 and 13-year-old girls.

Currently they are determined to revive cricket in Merafong through the Merafong regional festivals were primary schools are articipating and 120 kids are involved as well as 25 coaches.

“Mini cricket is not seasonal as it will be continuously taking place and in every inning a child would bat and bowl so they can get the opportunity to learn the basic drills,’’ she expressed.

She also mentioned that she’s happy to see the kids having fun while they are bringing awareness in the community and taking the kids off the streets. As a union Central Gauteng Lions offers coaching classes and clinics and they are focusing on giving the basics of cricket.

“There are sixteen unions striving that cricket is being played as it is a global sport,’’ she added.

The union is dedicated to making sure that cricket is known and the parent’s participation is important as it gives the children the motivation to play.

She concluded by thanking the committee of Merafong as it was a good day and they are looking to build a good relationship and growth in the area.

According to the Chairperson of Merafong Schools Cricket Mawande Mdlokovana they recently established the committee which is specializing with primary schools and currently there are five primary schools in Merafong that are involved in the mini cricket festival such as Danie Theron, Westfields, Merafong, Wedela and Hlangabeza primary schools.

“Cricket has not been developed recently and our mission is to bring back the passion, growth and develop the kids in the sporting code and we want to go national,’’ Mdlokovana expressed.