The annual Stragglers Cricket Festival kicked off today (Monday 27 August 2018) with over 200 boys aged between 9 to 12 years set to enjoy five days of non-stop cricket courtesy of a partnership between Stragglers Cricket Club and leading financial services institution, Stanbic Bank.
The Bank has been sponsoring Stragglers Cricket Festival since 2006 as part of its commitment to contribute to the well being of the communities in which it operates.
Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Head of Marketing and Communications, Palmer Mugavha said the institution’s marriage with Stragglers Cricket Festival is rewarding in so many ways as it not only helps young boys to relax during the school holidays but contributes significantly to the scouting of young cricket talent.
“Every year we are encouraged to continue providing this learning platform for young cricket hopefuls. Stragglers is also a motivational tool and confidence booster especially for the boys who participate from the development sides like Bindura and Shamva,” said Mugavha.
During the Festival, boys from all walks of life will have a rare opportunity of mixing and mingling, as well as playing limited overs cricket and get tips from some of the top cricket coaches and selected members of the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team.
The grade four and five cricketers play in the morning and the grade six and seven’s in the afternoon.
According to festival rules, the players are placed into teams named after cricketing countries such as Zimbabwe, West Indies, India, England, Australia, and Sri Lanka.
Each Country challenges a different country every day during the week in limited overs matches with all cricketers being rotated to bat and bowl.
Some of the country’s cricket legends past and present who sharpened their talents through Stragglers include Elton Chigumbura, Hamilton Masakadza and Craig Ervine.
