By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
THE Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU) has called on clubs to come up with a deliberate policy that will promote the game among the indigenous community.
ZCU president Reuben Chama said clubs should include at least five indigenous Zambians in their teams in order to sustain the game’s development.
Cricket worldwide, Zambia inclusive, has largely been considered to be an Indian sport, but latest trends across the world have seen India’s influence reduced.
Chama said cricket in Zambia was being played at a social level and that it was time it was taken to a higher level.
“Right now, all we are doing at senior level cricket is playing social cricket. Like that we cannot improve. I would like to urge all clubs to include at least five to six indigenous players in their teams.
“Like this, we will be giving chance to players who could take up cricket as a professional sport. That is the only way we are going to sustain development,” said Chama in his victory speech at the weekend after retaining the presidency.
With the Indian community largely dominating cricket once they cross the under-19 level, they choose to concentrate on work or running business and only play the game socially on Sundays.
Chama said ZCU’s core business is to promote developmental cricket as outlined by the International Cricket Council and urged clubs and provincial bodies to work at growing the game.
ZCU life member Haroon Ghumra has backed the call to include indigenous Zambians in every club as it was the right path to development.
Speaking at the AGM held in Kabwe at the weekend, Ghumra said that it was important that the indigenous Zambians were given a chance in cricket because they have potential to take it a step further.
“The future of any sport is in the youths and it makes me happy that there is a lot of focus on the youth. Keep it up and very soon, cricket will be a national sport,” he said.