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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
FORMER Zimbabwe senior national cricket team captain Elton Chigumbura’s academy has set base at Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC) and hopes to make a huge impact in nurturing talent in the province.

The academy was launched in Harare early this year with the aim of developing talent and helping young cricketers reach their maximum potential.

Chigumbura retired from international cricket during Zimbabwe’s tour of Pakistan last year after 16 years in the national team setup.

He played 14 Tests, 213 one-day internationals and 57 T20 matches.

The academy is based at Takashinga Cricket Club in Highfield and at Old Hararians, also in the capital.

The academy enrols players between the ages of six and 23, both male and female.

Shane Chigumbura, who runs operations in Bulawayo, said the project had taken off in a manner they did not anticipate.

“We are growing with each day. We are getting players each day and the most exciting thing is we are not only having boys come our way, but girls as well. The plan is to spread to other places across the country over time.

“The academy aims to teach other aspects of the game so that if one fails to become a professional player, they can choose other cricket-related careers.

At the moment we are stationed at BAC, but plans are in progress to also open a base at Emakhandeni,” Chigumbura said.

Tuskers administrator Nicholas Singo said they welcomed any project that pushes the development of cricket.

“Cricket in Zimbabwe is still a developing sport and any vehicle that drives towards the development of the game is welcome.

The fact that it is Chigumbura’s project is motivation enough for up-and-coming players out there. Having this academy is a plus for us because it will help improve the game,” said Singo.

He said work was being done to rehabilitate the BAC outfield, which has been an area of concern for some time.

“The pitch is fine, but the issue has always been the outfield. Work is being done to bring it to the expected standard. Very soon we will be having games played there,” he said.

Besides the academy, Elton Chigumbura and Kyle Jarvis were recently appointed as talent scouts for the Chevrons.

The two are responsible for identifying talent, nurturing and mentoring it from the grassroots level up to the development pathway before they can be selected for the national team. — @innoceentskizoe