A unified programme to upgrade S.A. cricket (9 June 1997)

09 June 1997

A unified programme to upgrade S.A. cricket

By Dr. Ali Bacher

The vision of the United Cricket Board encompasses 3 main objectives. These are: to establish cricket as South Africa's national sport, truly representative of the demographic pattern of our country at all levels of the game Secondly, to elevate South African cricket to the best in the world. Finally to play an integral role in evolving Africa into a major cricketing continent.

Our initial task is to rectify inequalities in facilities and coaching brought about by apartheid. Considering the extent of catching up that needs to be done, our vision presents a considerable challenge. Remedying this unfortunate heritage is a top priority of the United Cricket Board and already significant progress has been made in this regard.

Under the presidency of Krish Mackerdhuj, the UCB's development programme has made significant strides across the country. Thousands of young people from disadvantaged communities are playing organised cricket. It is gratifying to see that all our national representative teams include players of colour and that cricket is enjoying an unprecedented boom among all of this country's communities. While this is a most promising start, certain obstacles need to be overcome to ensure sustained growth of the game. One of the challenges we face is to streamline and strengthen our development structures so as to ensure that our best players from disadvantaged communities come through the system into first-class cricket. The traditional cricketing ladder has a rung missing when applied to many of South Africa's disadvantaged players. This is because our club structures are not sufficiently developed, resulting in a gap within the developmental process of young disadvantaged cricketers who are denied the opportunity to use club cricket as a spring board into provincial teams, or the national team.

Our biggest development priority is to fill this vacuum by either integrating these youngsters into existing clubs or, alternatively to build club cultures in their own communities. So far, we have achieved the later in 11 black townships throughout South Africa at a cost of Rs 10 million, and this process will be on-going in nature. Funds for this programme come from a 20 per cent levy which we place on all gates for international matches in South Africa. In this way the public contribute to improving the development of cricket in disadvantaged communities.In world cricket, the impact that international young players have made as role models in the development of the game in their own countries has been substantial. Names such as Waqar Younis, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Shane Warne come to mind. In South Africa, we have Paul Adams, to fulfil this role.

Another major new developmental step is the establishment of a national cricket academy. This is under the directorship of one of South Africa's greatest all-rounders, Clive Rice. Each winter about 20 of our most talented youngsters spend an intensive five months at the academy where they are taught a variety of skills concerning the modern game from the psychology of winning away from home to the art of public speaking. The main objective of the academy is to hasten the process of turning a good young player into a good first class player. This will ensure an increased pool of players from which we can draw our national squads. The modern game demands that a player has to have a wide variety of skills both on an off the field and so a holistic approach has been adopted in the development of the new breed of South African player.

Furthermore, a medical committee comprising the best medical / sports experts in South Africa has been put in place. A constant monitor is kept on the physical and mental well being of our elite players. Coaching also pays a vital role in the modern international game. We have recently instituted a high-level course for our best coaches. This will do two things; firstly, it will increase the pool of national coaches; and secondly coaching at provincial level will be standardised. This is an important consideration as the provincial pool is the primary feeder for the national squad.

To assist Provincial administrators, national seminars are held where participants exchange views on effective marketing and administration techniques. This is vital, because cricket is in direct competition not only to other sporting codes, but also to other forms of entertainment. This means that cricket must be high on the list of public leisure options.

To achieve this position, the man in the street and his family should be guaranteed attractive and winning cricket and it is our duty as players, coaches and administrators to provide this if the game is to continue to grow at all levels.

While cricket is enjoying unprecedented popularity at this time, we are not resting on our laurels and we are aware that even more effort is required if we are to achieve our vision for South African Cricket.

The writer is Managing Director, United Cricket Board of South Africa.

Source:: Dawn (https://xiber.com/dawn/)