The feeling to play at [Women’s Cricket] World Cup is unexplainable
Ntozakhe represents Proteas but it could have been Banyana
Though her childhood dream has always been to represent South Africa at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, Raisibe Ntozakhe could not have imagined that her desire would come true so soon.
The 21-year-old bowler is part of the SA squad on duty at the World Cup that started in England at the weekend.
The global spectacle is co-hosted by England and Wales and concludes on July 23.
“I always wanted to play at the World Cup but I did not think it would happen as fast as it has,” Ntozakhe told Sowetan before the team’s departure to the UK.
“It is an honour to play for the national team and the feeling to play at the World Cup is unexplainable. I want to make my country proud,’’ added the player, who started off with mini cricket in Alexandra, Johannesburg in 2012.
It is normal for kids to engage in different sporting codes and Ntozakhe is no exception to that. She also aspired to play football at the highest level. “At some point I wanted to play for Banyana Banyana because I also played soccer when I was young. In my township there were two sports fields, a soccer one and a cricket one so that’s how I ended up playing two sporting codes.
“Later I decided to continue with my cricket. I guess it was a matter of being more passionate about it.”
Sports stars hardly see the need to empower themselves through education once their sporting careers start flourishing However, it’s a different story for this budding cricket star.
“I have done sports coaching and administration diplomas through Eta College. Next year I want to enrol at the University of Johannesburg for a biokinetics course,” said Ntozakhe, who is the fourth of six children in her family.
Even Proteas coach Hilton Moreeng had rave reviews about Ntozakhe.
“She is a special talent and I am confident that she has a bright future. I am glad we identified her early because she is still young,” he said.
“We had been keeping tabs on her for the past four years [before they selected her for the national team]. Every season she is improving,’’ said Moreeng.
‘‘ I have done sports coaching and administration diplomas