Ex-cricketer in KZN IPL tourney launch
FORMER South African cricketer Yusuf Abdulla will be launching the first KwaZuluNatal Indoor Premier League tournament this week as part of Aucor’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
The event, at Aucor in Riverhorse Valley, Durban, will include sportsmen from the Proteas and the Hollywoodbets Dolphins.
Abdulla and his business partners, Rajeev Mochi and Haroon Sapoor, collaborated on the initiative during the course of the year.
To secure players, 18 cricketers were auctioned off to the highest bidders for the league at the Al-Fresco Gardens on Lilian Ngoyi (Windermere) Road for an undisclosed amount.
All proceeds went directly to each player. This included cricket legends such as Khaya Zondo, Sarel Erwee and Nantie Hayward.
Later this year, Abdulla will launch the Yusuf Abdulla Cricket Academy aimed at creating youth empowerment through sport.
He said he was inspired by the success of the indoor premier league, which ended up being bigger than what was expected.
“It’s actually something that looks like we are going to do nationally. We were thinking about the fans and ordinary people and giving them a chance to get into the cricket courts with the professionals.”
Nazeer Asmal, the managing director of Aucor Durban and team manager of the Aucor Musgrave Warriors, said: “Aucor is excited to be sponsoring and staging the Indoor Premier League at our facilities.
“This will be a spectacular action-packed event and the public is invited to attend the tournament at Imvubu Park Place in Riverhorse Valley.”
Fans can interact with the Hollywoodbets Dolphins and can get free coaching.
There will also be shopping and food stalls and auctions – cars, super cars and furniture – will take place on the sidelines.
For enquiries, see www. aucor.com