Zimbabwe: Chigumbura to Establish Cricket Academy

Kevin Mapasure

1 April 2011

NATIONAL cricket team captain Elton Chigumbura is on the brink of establishing a cricket academy in Harare.

Chigumbura has already named it “Aspired Cricket Academy”.

The project will take off in August this year as the all-rounder targets primary school children in a bid to give back to the game.

“I have gained so much from playing the game, so I thought I should give back in a big way, said Chigumbura. “I love cricket so much that even when I stop playing I will still be a big fan so I am contributing in my own way to make sure that the future of the sport in the country is bright.”

Chigumbura said at the academy he is looking to enrol at least 200 children mainly from schools that are not exposed to cricket presently.

“We have the Interfin Bank Cricket Academy catering for secondary and high school students and I thought we should have something for the primary schools so that we generate interest at an earlier stage.”

Chigumbura is already in negotiations for land in Borrowdale where he intends to establish the project.

He said the negotiations were progressing well and he was looking forward to sealing a deal anytime soon.

But he said failure to clinch that deal would not stop the project from taking off as his “Plan B” will see him visiting targeted schools.

Chigumbura said he will draw a lot from his own coffers but he is looking for sponsors who are willing to chip in especially with equipment.

He said the project requires about US$50 000 to take off which will go towards rentals and buying of the needed equipment as well as establishing a proper playing and practicing area.

“It’s an expensive project which will require that I get sponsorship but the important thing is to get it running first then I am sure we can generate corporate interest once in motion.”

In his ambitious plan the hard hitting middle order batsman is looking to have the project running throughout the year with permanent coaches who run it when he is committed with the national team or his franchise.

Among others, the player is looking to rope in other national team players that are an inspiration to the students.

As he tests the waters Chigumbura will team up with fellow national team players, Prosper Utesya, Tinashe Panyangara, Craig Ervine, Graeme Cremer and Hamilton Masakadza to conduct school holiday cricket sessions at Prince Edward School from April 18 to 30.

The players are looking to have that programme as a yearly event and have sent out invitations to schools to send their students.

The programme is free and open to children between seven to 12 years old, as the players give back to the cricketing community.

A few matches will be organised with the winners set to get certificates for their efforts.

AllAfrica – All the Time