Durban — Gugu Ndulama was one of more than 10 000 people who this past weekend participated in a special countrywide celebration of the 40th anniversary of Cricket SA’s flagship KFC Mini-Cricket programme, which has transformed millions of lives, including hers.
The celebration was held countrywide at 16 venues simultaneously.
Ndulama said many men and women Proteas came through CSA’s Mini-Cricket programme, which KFC has sponsored for the past 14 years.
She said the programme gave passionate young administrators like her a launchpad for a career in sports management.
Ndulama, who has been involved in the game for 12 years, is the Mini Cricket co-ordinator for Eastern Province Cricket, whose KFC Mini-Cricket Festival at Gqeberha’s St George’s Cricket Stadium was attended by 512 mini cricketers and 70 coaches from Nelson Mandela Bay and the Sarah Baartman District.
“I really enjoy being a part of cricket and a part of the KFC MiniCricket programme, mainly because I have seen the programme and the game-changing lives, mine included. The absolute elation that fills the kids’ and coaches’ faces when attending any KFC Mini-Cricket activity gives you a reason to get up every day and to be content with being part of a programme that changes lives on a daily basis,” said Ndulama.
She said she initially was a business administration student.
The Mini-Cricket programme had opened many doors for her, which included obtaining a sports management qualification.
“Never did I fathom that I would work in cricket. I always pictured myself in a glass office and at a rather large boardroom table that could fit thirty people at once.
“But God had other plans, great plans that I am extremely grateful for. Cricket has taught me so much, even about myself.
“It has taken me to so many places and has afforded me so many opportunities over the years, which I feel have prepared me for any assignment I might venture into in the future.”
Ndulama paid tribute to KFC for their loyalty to the Mini-Cricket programme and praised the volunteer coaches, who she said sacrificed their weekends and family time to be on the fields coaching mini cricketers.
Eastern Cape Provincial Cricket CEO Eugene Jacobs said the Mini-Cricket programme “has such values as fun and enjoyment as the pillars”.
Daily News