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Vumi Moyo

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
LACK of funding is hindering the Tuskers Cricket Franchise’s development plans of recruiting technical experts to train aspiring cricketers from Bulawayo’s western suburbs and Government schools.

Bulawayo Metropolitan Cricket (BMC) chairman Vumi Moyo said the franchise’s drive to deal with development of the sport at grassroots levels was being affected by their “shoe-string” budget.

“We try to assist with cash and technical knowhow, but need schools to meet us halfway. We offer coaches, but we have a shoe-string budget. Private schools offer scholarships to those that do well, so being on par with players from government schools won’t happen soon,” said Moyo.

“What you need to know is that we have no budget for schools. The problem is that some schools want Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) to do everything, but my question is; does Zifa give any assistance to schools so that they fulfil all football fixtures?

“We have never received requests from schools seeking assistance for travelling for their games, but if funds permit, we can financially help schools because by so doing we will be doing our development duties,” said Moyo.

He said cricket was losing promising players to other disciplines because of a lack of activity.

“It would discourage anyone not to play and that is why we try to absorb the better players into our club structures so they get game time. Most Milton High players are attached to Emakhandeni and play club cricket, which is vibrant enough.”

Emakhandeni is one of the two cricket development centres (CDCs) in Bulawayo with the other one housed at Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC).

Emakhandeni, whose facility is deplorable, has two coaches, Vincent Dhururu and Chris Phiri, while BAC has Pollock Mubhobho.

Moyo said they will establish more CDCs once they recruit more coaches.

About Emakhandeni’s poor status, Moyo said: “It’s playable. We don’t have money. The contractor did a shoddy job with the borehole so we need to drill again.”

Meanwhile, Moyo said they have scheduled a meeting with schools next week to set up strategic plans of developing cricket in the province.

“Plans to revive schools’ cricket are work in progress. We had the National Youth Games in Hwange where schools were involved. Just recently we had the Bulawayo Business Opportunities Twenty20 competition won by Emakhandeni and again, school going cricketers played.

“I’m meeting western suburb schools’ association next week to revive Africa Day trophy. We want to establish how many schools are active before coming up with the format of the competition,” Moyo said.

@ZililoR