*Undated
For Kenyan Cricket and its grassroots, the sport now looks brighter as a UK-based charity organisation Aldridge Foundation has vowed to establish six cricket hubs across Kenya to tap and nurture young, promising talent in the sport.
The new initiative, in collaboration with East Africa Character Development Trust, will target at least 1800 girls and 1200 boys over the next three years.
The players will be provided with essential equipment, such as practice nets and cages, and will perfect their trade under the guidance of dedicated coaches.
In the long-term, the programme hopes to culminate in an under-19 cricket league for both gender.
Commenting on this development, the founder and chair of the foundation, Sir Rod Aldridge, described it as a perfect opportunity for the beneficiaries to make the world a better place through cricket.
“We are delighted to have identified an organisation in EACDT that shares our beliefs and purpose and have this opportunity to collaborate and carefully extend our support and impact on young lives from disadvantaged communities. Cricket as a multi-faceted game is ideal as a vehicle for building character," Aldridge said.
Founded eight years ago, EACDT is a regional institution that seeks to inculcate core character traits into young boys and girls and enhance character development for future success. EACDT's programme director, David Waters expressed hope that the programme will provide a pathway to success for many children from the slums.
"Using sport, and in our case cricket, our programme will enhance and promote character development and life skills in young people and in doing so will give them a greater chance of leading productive lives in their homes, at school/university, in their communities and ultimately in the workplace," Waters said.
The 15-year old Aldridge Foundation boasts a colourful record of tapping cricket talents from the grassroots. In 2016, they developed a cricket academy in Brighton, South East England where beneficiaries proceeded to study specialist sports and other degrees at top universities in addition to playing cricket at the club, county and national level.
The foundation's overall objective is to help young people from disadvantaged communities develop key life and employability skills through various strategies, including sports.
Sir Aldridge's son, Robert, who attended the ceremony to unveil the collaboration, expressed confidence the programme will meet its objectives in Kenya.
“I am delighted to be in Kenya to celebrate this unique collaboration which will have a transformative effect on the lives of so many young women and men in this country and the wider region. Sport is an excellent catalyst for skills development and is an activity that supports physical and mental wellbeing and builds stronger ties across communities," Robert said.