Tag Archives: Zimbabwe Cricket

Six Zimbabweans in Cape Town Samp Army, Zim Afro T10 squad

Cape Town Samp Army, Zim Afro T10 players and officials

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The inclusion of six Zimbabwean cricket players in the Cape Town Samp Army, Zim Afro T10 squad, is evident of the great experience the players have and the amount of support they command from local fans, owner of the team, Ritesh Patel has said.

Patel revealed this in Harare today during a press conference ahead of the second season of the shortest cricket format which also begins today.

“The tournament is being held in Zimbabwe and I think it’s important to have Zimbabwean players in the team because we will have all the support and also they have been playing here for long so that is the biggest support to the whole entire franchise so that is the reason why we have great international experienced guys with the Zimbabwean guys,  so it’s great combination.

“We are here to entertain Zimbabwean fans, and that’s why there are six Zimbabwean players in my team. I hope to get the support of local fans, and I invite everyone to come large numbers and cheer for Cape Town Samp Army and enjoy our matches. We are also thankful to our title sponsor, Dafabet, for trusting our brand.”

And to add the icing on the cake, another Zimbabwean, Stuart Matsikenyeri is the coach of the team.

Patel said they were excited to aannounce their participation in the second season of the Zim Afro T10 hosted and organized  by Zimbabwe Cricket.

He added: “The name SAMP  stands for unity, and the team lives up to this spirit, as it is composed of players from England, Afghanistan, West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, UAE and Zimbabwe.”

Rohan Mustafa, the Captain of Cape Town Samp Army, expressed his joy saying, “I’m delighted and excited to have world-class players from all over the world.

“The format demands quick but composed action on the field and I am sure this team has the right temperament to succeed.”

David Willey, the team’s Vice Captain weighed in saying, “we don’t have big names, but we have the right combination give us an edge over others.”

Representing Zimbabwe, Benjamin Curran, spoke of his thoughts on playing with International players.

“It will be a great experience playing with and against world class cricketers, and I’m proud to add local Zimbabwean power to the team.”

Samp Army has previously participated in various T10 tournaments with renowned international players like Moeen Ali, Faf du Plessis, Jason Holder, David Miller, Shimron, Hetmyer, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Mahesh Theekshana.

During the press conference which also coincided with a special event where the team’s jerseys were officially handed over to players, many (players) echoed similar sentiments about the team’s culture, stating: “the owner and management of Samp Army treat us like family.

“Playing as a team and maintaining a strong team culture is their top priority.”

And the players were visibly excited and happy as they received their jerseys, reflecting a positive team spirit.

Cape Town Samp Army’s first match is scheduled for today at 5 PM.

And for this season of Zim Afro T10, Cape Town Samp Army will feature the following players:

 

1. Rohan Mustafa (UAE)

2. David Willey (England)

3. Dawid Malan (England)

4. Gulbadin Naib (Afghanistan)

5. Qais Ahmad (Afghanistan)

6. Amir Hamza Hotak (Afghanistan)

7. Salman Irshad (Pakistan)

8. Leonardo Julien (West Indies)

9. Ben Curran (Zimbabwe)

10. Brian Chari (Zimbabwe)

11. Brian Bennett (Zimbabwe)

12. Tawanda Maposa (Zimbabwe)

13. Tadiwanashe Marumani (Zimbabwe)

14. Milton Shumba (Zimbabwe)

15. Sineth Jayawardena (Sri Lanka)

16. Stuart Matsikenyeri (Coach, Zimbabwe

 

UNFPA, Zim Cricket collaborate to fight GBV

UNFPA Representative, Ms Miranda Tabifor and Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director, Givemore Makoni

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will collaborate with the Zimbabwe Cricket to raise awareness on Gender Based Violence and all other forms of violence women and girls.

This partnership will bank on the huge following for cricket as well as having players serve as role models on and off the field of play.  

Speaking at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on Friday in Harare; UNFPA Representative Miranda Tabifor described the partnership as a landmark event.

“We know how the nation loves cricket and the cricket players serve as models within the society and we believe that through this partnership and the influence and the power that they have in the community; we are going to advance the good cause of reducing Gender Based Violence in Zimbabwe,” said Tabifor.

Added Tabifor: “indeed today is a historic day, for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), it is historic for us because it is a great pleasure for us to proceed in this landmark signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding with Zimbabwe Cricket Association.

“It is a framework and collaboration to strengthen awareness raising on issues of Gender Based Violence and all other forms of violence against women, including to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights of the women and young people in Zimbabwe.

“The partnership with Zimbabwe Cricket Association is pivotal to UNFPA’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025, which notes that; I quote: UNFPA will expand its multi-stakeholder partnerships and innovative collaborations for impact.

“It also notes that organisations, associations and initiatives are essential to the achievement of the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals.

“The partnership is an accelerator in achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reducing maternal mortality including within the framework of UNFPA support to the Government of Zimbabwe under the 8th Country Programme of Cooperation.”

Ms Miranda Tabifor and Givermore Makoni sign the MOU

Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director, Givemore Makoni, said they were elated to be part of the MOU, as it was their first with any UN agency.

“It gives us an opportunity to play our role to not only promoting the girl child to play better cricket on the field, but also to support, raise awareness that will help to protect the girl child off the field of play.

“This cooperation marks the beginning of a great relationship that will see Zimbabwe Cricket contributing to raising awareness on the ills of Gender Based Violence.

“The partnership also demonstrates the Zimbabwe Cricket desire to become the number 1 sport in the country.

“For without the support, participation and inclusion of women and girls, this strategic objective will not be realised.

“We also appreciate that this partnership, though primarily aimed at supporting the female and girl child, will also require engaging men and boys to raise awareness on positive masculinity and the positives it brings in ending violence against women and girls.

“With its huge following nationwide of cricket lovers especially men and boys, the potential for Zimbabwe Cricket Association is huge.

“This presence a chance for the cricket players who are role models in society to use their fame and influence for a good cause,” said Makoni.

Gender Based Violence is a huge problem in Zimbabwe as it is reported that about 1 in 3 women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence.

And about 1 in 4 women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15, hence efforts of such partnerships aimed at ending the vice are well appreciated.