Ntini named Cricket South Africa ambassador

Makhaya Ntini has been named Cricket South Africa's first cricket development ambassador. Ntini, who played 101 Tests and took 390 wickets and was the first black, African player to represent South Africa, retired from international cricket in November 2010 but had vowed to remain involved in developing the game in rural areas.

The announcement was made at the unveiling of GB Molefe hostel at the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape, where CSA runs an academy. Mfuneko Ngam, another former South African fast bowler, heads the project, which gives promising players from previously disadvantaged backgrounds an opportunity to study as well as play cricket through a bursary scheme.

Ntini will be involved in the academy as well as other ventures that will assist the unearthing of talent in the area. His responsibilities will include identifying areas where developmental structures must be put in place and being a talent scout in the Eastern Cape. Ntini hails from the province, which is widely considered rich in cricketing talent, but suffers from severe poverty and lack of facilities in parts.

"Makhaya is a true ambassador of the sport, he has done more for the game of cricket than anybody in promoting the game," CSA chief executive Gerald Majola said. "We at CSA decided that, when Makhaya Ntini retires, he can not be gone completely from the world of cricket because many players still need to learn from his experience."