The Cricket Oval at the KNUST Obuasi campus was filled with thrills, excitement, fun amidst learning as the maiden edition of the Obuasi Cricket festival successfully took off with over 100 participants on Saturday, June 24, 2023.
The one-day event organized to revamp and reenergize active cricket in the gold city saw 54 boys and 46 girls registering to participate, while several others, (approximately 30) joined the fun from the football field later.
With the youngest being 6 years and the oldest being 17 years, coaches took participants through the various catching drills, bowling and batting intermittently for 2 hours, before a demonstration match by the coaches and few participants who have ever been introduced to Cricket.
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Senior national men’s Cricket team captain, Samson Kwesi Awe Awiah, who was there to support the initiative tells TalksenseSports, the impact on participants was 100%.
“I will say, the impact has been 100% plus, because this hasn’t happened before in Ghana; to have a cricket festival. Actually, I was so surprised and excited when I heard it from the skipper about this organization and so I decided to come and give her the massive support and whatever I have in developing the sport. I want to encourage her to keep it up, because we need more of these to get the kids playing the sport and get the grassroot come alive to secure our future for the sport.”
The children could not keep their eyes off the demonstration game, as Indian Devender who plays for BGC hits boundary and receives applauses, with many saying, they will play like him in future.
The rains came late and it could only prevent a dancing competition, which had already even started, with some of the kids showing their wonderful dancing skills.
Rhyda Ofori Amanfo, captain of the senior national women’s cricket team and organizer of this festival says, it will be an annual event, to ensure Cricket picks its glory days in Obuasi.
“I am extremely happy about how far the program went. We had about 140 kids coming around for the program and it was ok for a start. As time goes on, the numbers will increase. We will have this annually but not only in Obuasi but Kumasi and other places. I decided to revive cricket in Obuasi with this event, as I remembered how Cricket was in those days here. UMA Ghana Operations Manager Clinton and Larry Project manager, HR, GCA and other friends around me whose names I can’t mention supported this initiative.”
“Players were registered, so we can contact them for training every week and this will keep more kids active. After a while, we will begin the Sunday special here.” She added.
Other female cricket national players; the likes of Rashidatu Salia, Kate Awuah, Miriam Eshun, Cynthia Konadu Ankobea and Ellen Otu Asante helped train the kids. Other coaches, like Prince Jula, Peter, Prince Obeng Manu, Dennis Amponsah, Madjah Mohammed were also of great support.
Goldstar Air donates to kids in Tourism (KIT) Ghana towards the success of their annual festival
Off course, Ghana Cricket needs more of these programs to get the future secured, while seeking for sponsorships from corporate bodies to keep the game alive in Ghana.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey
