‘Oom Ray’ lauded in weekend of festivities

A BUSY weekend will see Border cricket end the season on a high note, with a host of special festivities and cricketing action on the cards.

The Border Golf Day and Border Cricket Awards will both take place on Friday.

On Saturday night there is a gala dinner honouring the much loved Ray Mali, a former president of both Cricket South Africa and the International Cricket Council.

The final of the Ray Mali T20 tournament takes place on Sunday, his 80th birthday.

“My dad never really had birthday parties because he lost his parents when he was nine years old, so to see him part of the planning and the excitement is just wonderful,” said Mali’s daughter Vee Mali.

“You can see he is excited for the event and everyone involved is also eagerly waiting for this weekend so that we can all celebrate.

“We are so looking forward to the weekend. It is great to be able to recognise him for what he has done for sport while he is alive.”

Border Cricket are also looking forward to the event, and will want to enjoy the evening with one of the most influential cricket figures to have come out of the region.

“On behalf of everyone at Border Cricket we congratulate Ray Mali on his 80th birthday,” said Border cricket CEO Thando Booi.

“Oom Ray is one of the pioneers of cricket development in South Africa, and he’s devoted his life to the upliftment of the game at all levels.

“At 80 not out, he is still an avid cricket fan and promoter of the game although somewhat retired.

“Thank you Oom Ray for everything you have done for cricket in our region.”

The final of the sixth edition of the tournament, which will be played in Alice, will see the best clubs in the region going all out for the win.

Launched in 2012, the grassroots tournament is contested by cricket clubs throughout the Alice and Fort Beaufort region. It has grown into a highlight in the community’s sporting calendar.

“The idea is to make sure that all youth in Alice and Fort Beaufort are involved in this great T20 tournament,” explained Booi.

“The tournament is welcomed by the whole community – 12 club delegates, the municipality delegates, department of sport, recreation, arts and culture officials and cricket administrators in the region, which just demonstrates the dedication and passion of the man.”

An auction of some of the rarest cricket memorabilia will be held at the gala dinner to raise funds for the development of the clubs that participate in the tournament.

“His full name is Raymond Remember Mali, and he certainly is a man to remember,” said Booi .

The board of directors at Border Cricket are looking forward to acknowledging him over the weekend, concluded Booi.

Friday morning’s Border Golf Day takes place at the East London Golf Club, while the Border Cricket awards will take place at Buffalo Park on the night.

The gala dinner for Mali will be held at Buffalo Park on Saturday night.

The cricketing action takes centre stage at Ntselamanzi cricket ground in Alice on Sunday morning.