The ACSA (Airports Company South Africa) and Eastern Province development programme launched on June 12 has proved successful.

Training has commenced in the six allocated zones in the townships and northern areas, with three age groups consisting of 12 players, in each zone.

According to Chris Esau, Youth Cricket Manager, he is impressed with the development so far. He claims that it will be only a matter of time before the next Mfuneko Ngam comes through.

"The first two weeks were hard, as they consisted of intense training," said Easu. "Most of the children coped well though. Now it is just basic training."

Esau says that there was a selection process used to choose the players. Each school in the northern and township areas was sent a fax and requested to select two of their best players for the programme. Trials were then held and 12 players in each age group - under 13, under 15 and under 18 - were selected.

" The programme is not big enough for everyone to attend, so we are trying to find the best talent," said Esau.

Esau attends practice at the different venues everyday to identify talent and to see how things are developing.

"One of the most prominent players in the programme is a boy from Republic Primary, Aiden Louw. I am very excited about this young boy. He is a left-handed batsman, and he has a lot of potential," said Esau.

The children involved in the programme receive coaching from some of Eastern Province's top coaches. "We hope to see these boys on the pitch wearing Eastern Province gear very soon," Esau said.

© EPCB