Rural cricketers across the region have been involved in a great battle over the last few days for bragging rights at the annual Amacal'legusha Cricket tournament.The spectacle has a rich heritage in the region with many local cricket clubs having started out playing in the event many years ago.
Some of the countries most influential black cricketers all earned their stripes in this tournament, among them Protea stars such as Makhaya Ntini, Monde Zondeki and Mfuneko Ngam.
A host of players currently competing in the tournament have played for Border at some stage in their careers, while others are in the academy set-up, and looking to impress.
The Zondeki Cricket Union, which was established in 1931 – making this their 84th year of existence – hosted the final day of the Amacal'legusha tournament in Masingatha Village outside King William’s Town on Tuesday.
“This tournament was not always like this, it has a rich heritage and this year it has been superb,” said Mawethu Zondeki, whose great grandfather started the Zondeki Cricket Union.
“We are so grateful for the 84 years and next year we are excited for the 85th anniversary,” he said.
Current head of the Fort Hare Cricket academy and former Protea fast bowler, Ngam, coached one of the teams competing in this year’s tournament.
Ngam also played a huge part in organising the event.
In preparation for the big celebrations next year, they enjoyed a top Amacal’legusha tournament, that saw six club sides from the region battle it out for honours.
The final game was umpired by former Border cricket stalwart captain Abongile Sodumo, who now is cutting his teeth as an umpire.
The top two sides in the tournament – Mdingi Cricket Club and Piri Champion – who were both unbeaten, went head-to-head in the final game.
In the end Ngam’s team, Piri, emerged victorious, as they chased down the target set by Mdingi in 15 overs to claim the 2015 title.
“This year was great, we had some fantastic trophies for the teams and we are very happy with how it went, but we want next year to be even bigger and better,” Zondeki said.
Just a few kilometres away, the Good Hope Cricket Union established in 1957, were staging their Amacal’legusha tournament in Mzintshane Village.
President of Good Hope and current Border cricket development coach, Raymond Booi, was organiser-in-chief – as seven teams battled it out for honours.
Booi’s team, Nobumba Cricket Club, proved to be the best among them, as they cruised through the tournament unbeaten.
They ended proceedings in style as they comfortably beat Perry Sports and Fight Forever Cricket Clubs on the final day to seal the title on Tuesday afternoon.
“I would like to thank everyone from the local communities who have come out to support this tournament, they travelled from far distances, many of them walking, to come and watch the cricket,” Booi said.
“The players also must be commended for making the long trips out here to play and enjoy the cricket.”
“This tournament is so important for our communities to show the guys that they can make it, we have some of the best players from the region playing here and they are showing what can be achieved through hard work,” he added.
Next up for the 13 cricket unions will be the Inter Board Championship, where the 13 tournament teams picked from the best players in each club from each of the Amacal'legusha tournaments, will take on each other next month January, which should make for some exciting cricket action.
Pitch battles on King’s field of dreams
The spectacle has a rich heritage in the region with many local cricket clubs having started out playing in the event many years ago.
Some of the countries most influential black cricketers all earned their stripes in this tournament, among them Protea stars such as Makhaya Ntini, Monde Zondeki and Mfuneko Ngam.
A host of players currently competing in the tournament have played for Border at some stage in their careers, while others are in the academy set-up, and looking to impress.
The Zondeki Cricket Union, which was established in 1931 – making this their 84th year of existence – hosted the final day of the Amacal'legusha tournament in Masingatha Village outside King William’s Town on Tuesday.
“This tournament was not always like this, it has a rich heritage and this year it has been superb,” said Mawethu Zondeki, whose great grandfather started the Zondeki Cricket Union.
“We are so grateful for the 84 years and next year we are excited for the 85th anniversary,” he said.
Current head of the Fort Hare Cricket academy and former Protea fast bowler, Ngam, coached one of the teams competing in this year’s tournament.
Ngam also played a huge part in organising the event.
In preparation for the big celebrations next year, they enjoyed a top Amacal’legusha tournament, that saw six club sides from the region battle it out for honours.
The final game was umpired by former Border cricket stalwart captain Abongile Sodumo, who now is cutting his teeth as an umpire.
The top two sides in the tournament – Mdingi Cricket Club and Piri Champion – who were both unbeaten, went head-to-head in the final game.
In the end Ngam’s team, Piri, emerged victorious, as they chased down the target set by Mdingi in 15 overs to claim the 2015 title.
“This year was great, we had some fantastic trophies for the teams and we are very happy with how it went, but we want next year to be even bigger and better,” Zondeki said.
Just a few kilometres away, the Good Hope Cricket Union established in 1957, were staging their Amacal’legusha tournament in Mzintshane Village.
President of Good Hope and current Border cricket development coach, Raymond Booi, was organiser-in-chief – as seven teams battled it out for honours.
Booi’s team, Nobumba Cricket Club, proved to be the best among them, as they cruised through the tournament unbeaten.
They ended proceedings in style as they comfortably beat Perry Sports and Fight Forever Cricket Clubs on the final day to seal the title on Tuesday afternoon.
“I would like to thank everyone from the local communities who have come out to support this tournament, they travelled from far distances, many of them walking, to come and watch the cricket,” Booi said.
“The players also must be commended for making the long trips out here to play and enjoy the cricket.”
“This tournament is so important for our communities to show the guys that they can make it, we have some of the best players from the region playing here and they are showing what can be achieved through hard work,” he added.
Next up for the 13 cricket unions will be the Inter Board Championship, where the 13 tournament teams picked from the best players in each club from each of the Amacal'legusha tournaments, will take on each other next month January, which should make for some exciting cricket action.
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