Takudzwa Manzero
Sports Correspondent
THE Manicaland Cricket Association (MCA) League has kicked off, and will be comprised of Mutare Sports Club, Eastern Titans, Westside Cricket Club, Mutare Cricket Club, Blast Cricket Club, Ghetto Stars.
MCA and Mountaineers general manager, Terry Nyakurimwa said: “The goal is to grow the game in all the seven districts of Manicaland. In this tournament, we will be looking at grooming players from the grassroots, and form the professional setup that will vie for provincial glory.”
Squads involved were delicately separated along suburban boundaries in Mutare, with sides such as Westside and Eastern Titans carrying a cohort of Dangamvura-based players such as Tinashe Chiorah, Anesu Kamuriwo, Tendai Chatara and Takudzwa Nyamugure.
Mutare Cricket Club and Mutare Sports Club focus on the town area.
The former enlisted the services of players-cum-coaches, Tatenda Muponga and Silent Mujaji whose experience with the ball will be a valuable pace bowling attack that will be useful in the first power play to curb the attacking opposing batters’ run-rate.
The Sakubva and Chikanga areas will be represented by the Ghetto Stars, while Blast Cricket Club will be comprised of the upper town suburbs of Fairbridge and Murambi.
Victory in the ongoing tournament will offer the leaders the opportunity to clinch automatic entry for the National Premier League, while the second place will be involved in a play-off against Mashonaland East provincial winners.
“Going forward, clubs ought to affiliate with Manicaland Cricket Association (MCA) so that they follow the development pathway. So if a child plays in primary and secondary school, they must have a competitive club to play in at provincial competitions like these, granting them a chance to get a spot and develop in the domestic franchises, before getting a spot in the national squad.”
He added: “The setup is responsible for the unearthing of talent in the region that has made its mark on the international scale. Players such as Victor Nyauchi and Tendai Chatara have been in the system, while Vincent Masekesa who recently sealed his spot in the Zimbabwe squad touring Bangladesh is an exciting prospect to watch when the Test series gets underway at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on April 20.”
