eKasi Challenge heads back to Soweto

This year’s hosts, the bizhub Highveld Lions, will be defending their impressive track record of three consecutive eKasi wins at head coach Geoffrey Toyana’s home-ground.

 

Traditionally used as a pre-season warm up match, these keen and close rivals will make sure they show up to highlight the very best of their skills and talent to inspire youngsters and enthral new fans.  The intention of the challenge is to take the excitement of professional cricket to new audiences so the matches alternate between hosts and venues.  And with a 3-0 track record there is definitely plenty on the line for both the Lions and the Titans.

 

As in previous years the host team and sponsors Momentum use the occasion as a chance to engage with the local community.  This year the Lions team will be hosting a series of meet and greet opportunities with fans in Soweto.  Players from both the Lions and the Titans will tour Soweto in an open top Big Red bus on Friday 26 September 2016 to meet fans and promote the match. 

 

Geoffrey Toyana coach of the Bizhub Highveld Lions says, “Playing this event at my home-ground definitely adds to the pressure. I grew up at Soweto Cricket Oval and we will be keen to keep the honours for this match. This is a great way for the team to be reminded of what it is all about – away from television, cameras and professional cricket there are kids that simply want to play this game. I hope this event inspires more of them to get involved.”

 

At the heart of the Momentum eKasi Challenge is the goal of developing cricket at a grassroots level and using sport as a nation-builder and a metaphor for life-skills and positive empowerment in our communities.  Inspiring youngsters to see cricket as an option is part of the process of creating and finding new pools of talent.  Each year Momentum, the Lions and the Titans have contributed to the improvement of local grounds, facilities like clubhouses and skills development of local administrators.

 

Danie van den Bergh head Momentum Brand says, “The intention of the Momentum eKasi Challenge is to inspire a generation with the idea of possibility.  We want to make sure we make a meaningful contribution by leaving behind something of value.  Physically we leave behind improved facilities that are then used by the local community and schools in the area.  But more than that, we want to leave behind the passion for the game.  We want there to be fired-up interest and a steady flow of talent moving up the ranks from grassroots level to club, from franchise to Protea.  And we know it can all start from a youngster watching one great game.”

 

To further show their commitment to development in cricket, the Lions will be running a coaching session for promising local scholars who form part of the established Gauteng Cricket Board’s Development Programme.  The programme identifies talented cricket players and feeds them into a structured development programme that is able to nurture talent and improve skills.  The coaching session will take place at the Soweto Cricket Oval on Tuesday 06 September 2016.  Media are invited to attend.  Players will be available to media from 13:00 and coaching starts at 14:00.

Local communities have been delighted by the professional teams taking the time to bring cricket into their communities.  Aaron Phangiso, who has played for Northerns and the Lions, started his cricket career playing in Soshanguve and Protea Eddie Leie from Ikageng in North West, are great examples of home-grown talent. Lions coach Geoffrey Toyana from Soweto has also been a great example of making a career out of cricket.

Toyana continued, “The Season is at our doorstep and this is also an opportunity for the guys to get out of the training nets and onto the field. The Titans are a formidable outfit but we will come in with guns blazing.”

This will be the first outing for the Titans with new sponsor Multiply.  Multiply is Momentum’s wellness and rewards programme and is the sponsor of the Titans in the Momentum One-Day and Sunfoil Four-Day domestic formats.  "We want to thank the Lions for hosting us this year and further for partnering with us on this great initiative. It is important that we as custodians of this wonderful game of cricket, aim to improve accessibility to cricket to as many people as possible,” says Jacques Faul, chief executive of Multiply Titans.

Momentum’s sponsorship of the eKasi Challenge means that entrance on match day is free and everyone is welcome.  Entry is only with a ticket: free tickets are available from the Soweto Cricket Club.  More than 800 local school children will attend as special guests for the match.  Pick n Pay have come on board and will be donating lunches for the children and providing heathy fare for the players and other invited guests on the day. The match starts at 09:30 and gates will be open from 09h00.  Bring your family, friends, neighbours and enjoy the day.  The Match will also be televised live on SuperSport.