10 Sep 2013

South Africa’s renowned fast track cricket player, Makhaya Ntini, trained the Under 19, Under 18 and Under 16 teams at the Cricket Oval over the weekend.

The cricket guru said during the clinic that he intended to establish a cricket school of excellence in his country. The school could later expand to neighbouring countries. He said although cricket facilities in Botswana were good, they needed to be improved to match international standards.

Ntini, whose batting performance throughout the coaching clinic impressed spectators, described the exercise as ‘excellent and good for a start’ for a country that was willing to take the game to a higher level.

He encouraged the Botswana Cricket Association to consider developing the sport facilities such as providing more lights and spectator stands. He said he was optimistic that with the leadership that the cricket association in Botswana had, the more developed countries made a success story out of it.

He said the course was the beginning of a future in the history of cricket in Botswana. One of the trainees, Thatayaone Tshose described the clinic as a good start that heralded bigger cricket events. Tshose, who plays for Young Guns , said Ntini was a good model for him.

He said he would use the skills that he acquired from the clinic and work hard to play the game globally. Another trainee, Jacoline Kgang, said she was willing to work harder to improve her performance in cricket. The coaching clinic included basics, learning how to defend and how to hit a time ball. ENDS