The Ventura Street team from Mitchells Plain took this year’s Sporting Chance Street Cricket League title after a convincing finish against Foreshore Street of Langa at the home of ‘street cricket’, Washington Street in Langa.
MEC for Education in the Western Cape, Donald Grant paid a visit to the final and was pleased with the initiative and the way it kept children from under resourced areas involved in sport.
“Our schools play an essential role in promoting sport and physical activity amongst our youth. However, many schools lack the resources, facilities and funding to develop and promote sport in their schools” said Grant
Each team in the tournament is made up of 10 kids, of whom at least two are girls. All players must have attended school throughout the year prior to the start of the tournament and must belong to the local sports club.
Bing has been pioneering this competition since 2003 and together with associate sponsors Disney, The City of Cape Town, various private donors and media sponsors Lets Play and Good Hope Fm have made this year another special one.
“Communities are filled with sports-mad children and the street cricket league allows them to be actively involved in cricket in their own neighborhoods” commented Bing.
According to Cyril Pelston who is the Street Cricket Coordinator in Manenbery, Street cricket has become part of the culture and community and helps to add value and growth in communities as well as in families.
“Competition is really getting interesting amongst the teams with more parents coming out to support there children. This year the demand for participation was so overwhelming that we had to work on a first come first serve basis.”