Photo Credit: Gameplan Media / Dolphins Cricket
The 2023 edition of the KZNCU, Sunfoil, KZNDSAC U16 Hubs Tournament came to an exciting conclusion at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium over the weekend with the KZN Scholarship Invitational team winning the final.
Seven teams representing the ten Dolphins hubs took part in the competition with the INK/Ilembe U16 team finishing the league phase at top of the log ahead of the KZN Scholarship Invitational U16 team.
There were outstanding performances across the board, and it was INK/Ilembe’s Asanda Guma who finished as the Bowler of the Tournament taking 14 wickets while Resevoir Hill Hub’s Josh Ramlugum ended as the Batter of the Tournament with 153 runs at an average of 38.25 with a top score of 81.
Naseem Hanif, who played for the Chatsworth/Umlazi U16 side, picked up the Player of the Tournament award as he finished as the only player to score a hundred, making 105 off just 57 balls.
“As one of the pioneering unions of the Hub system, we are delighted to see the conclusion of another successful edition of the KZNCU, Sunfoil, KZNDSAC U16 Hubs Tournament,” President of KZN Cricket Yunus Bobat said.
“We say it often, but this is where talent is unearthed across the greater KZN area and we are proud that we could play a part in giving these players a platform to showcase their skills and succeed.”
For CEO of KZN Cricket Heinrich Strydom, a tournament like this isn’t possible without several supporting partners.
“There are a number of important role players when it comes to hosting a tournament like this and we want to thank Sunfoil and KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for their support of an event like this and to Northwood High School and Durban North College for being brilliant hosts,” Strydom said.
“Tournaments like these are crucial for us at KZN Cricket as they continue to help strengthen the pipeline of players coming through and the success stories that follow these tournaments are a testament to their importance and success.”
As crucial partners in these tournaments Sunfoil and the KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (KZNDSAC) see the importance and the value that they provide.
“It was great to see the players bring their best efforts to produce exciting matches throughout the weekend. On behalf of Sunfoil, congratulations to all players who participated to the Ink/Ilembe Hub who won the league phase and the KZN Scholarship Team who won the final,” said Operations Executive of Sunfoil, Mr Mohamed Ishfaaq Moosa.
“Sunfoil has been invested in the KZNCU Hub programme for many years, it is encouraging to see the young talent that was on display this weekend as it shows the continuous growth of the programme.”
“We are committed to helping KZN Cricket unearth the next generation of professional cricketers in KwaZulu-Natal and to create an active community,” KZNDSAC’s Chief Director, Mr Vijay Balram said.
“These Hub tournaments continue to provide an important platform for these young players to succeed and the doors of opportunity that these tournaments open can be life changing.
“The KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture are excited to be involved and our relationship with the KZN Cricket Union continues to grow from strength to strength.”
