The seventh edition of the highly anticipated Awqaf SA 100 Ball Youth Cricket Tournament commenced on Thursday, 14th of December 2023, in Cape Town and will run until the 18th of December. The tournament includes 30 teams across various age groups, ranging from Under-12 to Under-18, with a notable addition this year being a ladies Under-19 team.
Presented by Awqaf SA, a prominent charitable endowment organisation, in collaboration with Primrose Cricket Club and the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA), this youth cricket event aims to promote social cohesion and equal opportunities for youth from diverse backgrounds. It uses cricket as a means to foster unity and sportsmanship.
The unique feature of the tournament is its innovative 100-ball format. Each batting team has one hour to face 10 overs, with each over comprising 5 balls, making a total of 20 overs. This fast-paced format adds excitement to the competition, testing the skills and adaptability of young cricketers.
Beyond youth development through cricket, this year’s tournament also serves as a fundraiser for Awqaf SA’s “Share the Care Cataract” project. This initiative aims to provide essential eye surgery to hundreds of individuals in disadvantaged communities who lack the means to undergo the procedure, restoring human dignity through the gift of sight.
Mickaeel Collier, CEO of Awqaf SA, emphasized the broader impact of the tournament. “Beyond the joy of cricket, the Awqaf SA 100 Ball Youth Cricket Tournament stands as a beacon of hope and positive change.” The collaboration with Primrose Cricket Club and the WPCA creates a platform for youth from diverse backgrounds to come together, play the sport they love, and build lasting connections.
Results from day one matches include notable performances, such as Durbanville CC U18 beating Primroses CC U18 by 20 runs, Tygerberg CC U18 winning against Durbanville CC U18 by 6 wickets, Ottoman CC U16 defeating Mitchells Plain CC by 4 wickets, Victoria CC U19 Girls beating Gugulethu Hub by 9 wickets, and Ottoman CC U12 scoring an impressive 213/4, defeating Belhar CC by 149 runs.