Eastern: 30 Girls benefit from Hard Ball Cricket Clinic.
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
About 30 girls selected from 10 Community Cricket Clubs in the Eastern Region Cricket Association, benefited from a 2-day hard ball cricket clinic, facilitated by National Girls and female Cricket Coach Obed Harvey.
The clinic which was aimed at steadily migrating the girls from soft ball to hard ball saw 18 players from Zone 1 practicing the basics of bowling, fielding and batting at the Akwamuman SHS Park on Friday, January 28, 2022.
Learning with the required protective equipment, the girls from the beginning felt uncomfortable but picked up quickly upon instructions on the usage of the equipment.
On Saturday, January 29, the clinic continued at the Asikuma Presby School Park, where 12 players benefitted from the basic techniques of bowling, (i.e gripping, stepping, pitching, delivery), batting, (stance, swinging of the bat, defense, etc) wicket keeping and fielding.
The Clinic also offered Coach Obed the opportunity to teach coaches of the various community clubs, how to train their players, as they will begin to play hard ball soon.
Speaking after the 2-day clinic, Coach Obed Harvey who had cautioned participants about the hard ball encouraged them to continue practice.
“Whatever you have learnt here, it is the first step. We might not be doing it at your various communities, because of limited equipment. So, we will be doing it like we have done now. Your coaches can help with a soft ball hanged and you can keep practicing because even professionals still do that. It will get to a time, you will close your eyes and hit soft ball.”
The hard ball clinic was put together by the Eastern Region Cricket Association, together with Coach Obed Harvey. Vice Chairman of the Association, Foster Abornu, Secretary, Fred Anim Lartey, Coaches, Immanuel Narh and Morrison Klu were available to help with the clinic.
The two zonal champions, Tortibo Twinkle Star Ladies and Boso Terrific Hitters, will compete for the overall champion of the Asuogyaman Girls U-19 T20 Community Cricket league on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at the Akwamuman SHS Park.
The play-off will mark the Birthday celebration of the patron of the Girls Cricket, Nana Afrakoma II, Queen Mother of the Akwamu traditional Area, which falls on February 14.
More activities in Girls Cricket are expected this year, on the planner of the Ghana Cricket Association, from Obuasi to Saltpond, to Asuogyaman, to Kumasi and to Accra.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey