South Africa’s Ntini tours
JUST a week away since South Africa’s national opening star bowler Makhaya Ntini visited Uganda, careers of many local youngsters have steadily started changing.
By Ronnie Kintu
Name: Makhaya Ntini
Date of birth: July 6, 1977
Batting style: Right Hand
Bowling style: Fast arm
Test debut: 1997/98
ODI debut: 1997/98
JUST a week away since South Africa’s national opening star bowler Makhaya Ntini visited Uganda, careers of many local youngsters have steadily started changing.
Ntini, the first black South African to play on the national Test team, was a source of inspiration to the Ugandans and his humble background had something to tell to many of our own.
Born in 1977 in a small village of Mdingi in the Eastern Cape, Ntini spent his early childhood looking after cattle and managed to step on the international scene in 1997.
He played a couple of one-day internationals on his first tour to Australia in 1997-1998 and later against Sri Lanka becoming the first development player to play in a Test.
“I like what I do and always keep on thinking of how to improve my game. I drill a lot and try as much as possible to keep fit,†Ntini said while addressing a press conference at Entebbe International Airport on arrival.
A product of South Africa’s development programme, Ntini helped Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) raise sh17m through auction of various autographed products. The money went towards boosting UCA development programmes.
He applauded the role of sponsors towards the growth and development of sports and hailed UCA for attracting big cooperate companies.
“Let us all put our heads together and ensure that Uganda plays at the 2007 World Cup,†he said.
On his tour of Jinja, he met over 180 students and conducted various bowling, batting and fielding clinics with the youngsters.
Ntini later returned to Kampala and met over 100 youngsters at Lugogo oval before he proceeded to Gayaza High School where he passed on skills to the girls.
His tour climaxed with a match to celebrate ten years since the collapse of apartheid in South Africa at Kyambogo oval last Sunday.
Castle Lager, South Africa Airways, Sheraton Hotel, MTN and the South Africa business community made his visit possible. He was the first SA player to visit Uganda.
Ends
Name: Makhaya Ntini
Date of birth: July 6, 1977
Batting style: Right Hand
Bowling style: Fast arm
Test debut: 1997/98
ODI debut: 1997/98
JUST a week away since South Africa’s national opening star bowler Makhaya Ntini visited Uganda, careers of many local youngsters have steadily started changing.
Ntini, the first black South African to play on the national Test team, was a source of inspiration to the Ugandans and his humble background had something to tell to many of our own.
Born in 1977 in a small village of Mdingi in the Eastern Cape, Ntini spent his early childhood looking after cattle and managed to step on the international scene in 1997.
He played a couple of one-day internationals on his first tour to Australia in 1997-1998 and later against Sri Lanka becoming the first development player to play in a Test.
“I like what I do and always keep on thinking of how to improve my game. I drill a lot and try as much as possible to keep fit,†Ntini said while addressing a press conference at Entebbe International Airport on arrival.
A product of South Africa’s development programme, Ntini helped Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) raise sh17m through auction of various autographed products. The money went towards boosting UCA development programmes.
He applauded the role of sponsors towards the growth and development of sports and hailed UCA for attracting big cooperate companies.
“Let us all put our heads together and ensure that Uganda plays at the 2007 World Cup,†he said.
On his tour of Jinja, he met over 180 students and conducted various bowling, batting and fielding clinics with the youngsters.
Ntini later returned to Kampala and met over 100 youngsters at Lugogo oval before he proceeded to Gayaza High School where he passed on skills to the girls.
His tour climaxed with a match to celebrate ten years since the collapse of apartheid in South Africa at Kyambogo oval last Sunday.
Castle Lager, South Africa Airways, Sheraton Hotel, MTN and the South Africa business community made his visit possible. He was the first SA player to visit Uganda.
Ends