Bavuma to mentor youngsters

Proteas batsman Temba Bavuma will mentor budding cricketers at the high performance centres across the country.

The Cape Cobras star said he cannot wait to pass his vast knowledge of the game onto the youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"Most of these youngsters are looking up to us and we must help them realise their dreams as well," Bavuma said during the Cricket SA (CSA) and Standard Bank cricket development media launch in Dobsonville, Soweto yesterday.

"It's such an honour to be involved and I am looking forward to it," Bavuma added.

CSA vice-president Thabang Moroe trusts this initiative will play a huge role in transformation and the development of township cricket.

"This is for disadvantaged kids. Cricket is very expensive but with Standard Bank on board things will be much easier and it will fast- track transformation because our kids in townships will get a rare opportunity to play cricket in better conditions," Moroe said.

The programme is part of the CSA's development structures to ensure that budding cricketers have access to facilities and quality coaching, as well as life skills programmes.

Yesterday's collaboration was launched at Dobsonville's High Performance Centre.

Meanwhile, the bank's head of sponsorship, Hazel Chimhandamba, expects their new initiative to produce players who will represent the country in future.

"This programme is very important because it's about investing in youth. We are expecting to see players from this initiative playing for the Proteas in future," said Chimhandamba.

She also revealed that the partnership will run for three years.