By GWEN CHIPASULA –
THE Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU) has concluded negotiations with 10 schools in Chingola where they intend to introduce the sport.
ZCU president Reuben Chama said the cricket body would sign a memorandum of understanding with the 10 schools in Chingola next year with the view to introducing cricket.
The identified schools are- Nakatindi, Matelo, Lwano, Kasala andTwateka Primary Schools.
Others are Chibwe, Ifupa, Chibanyama, Twatasha, Kabundi and Malemba.
“We want to roll out a programme that will help us introduce youth teams in most school around the country. That step will help us develop cricket because more youths will be involved,” he said.
Chama said the sport has over the years failed to develop to the desired levels because there are few youths playing competitive cricket at grassroots level.
He said ZCU has identified schools that will pioneer the introduction of youth cricket and help raise its standards in the country.
Chama also added that the schools picked for the programme will be required to form teams of under-11, under-15 and under-19.
“Next year, we want to be more aggressive in terms of our development programmes so that we get more people to playing the game. We don’t want to be having headaches when picking a national team,” Chama said.
Chama said the union will also embark on capacity building for coaches and umpires to equip them with modern rules of the game.
