Department gives R22.5m to Proteas Women, Cricket SA

The department of sport, arts and culture has awarded the Proteas Women R7.5m for reaching the final of the Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup.

The team finished the tournament in SA last month as runners-up to Australia.

The big reward was announced by deputy minister Nocawe Mafu during a “recognition luncheon” in Johannesburg

on Tuesday. Mafu also bestowed medals on team members for their performance in the tournament, where they became the first senior South African cricket squad to reach a World Cup final.

She also announced R15m for Cricket SA over the next three years for the establishment of a professional women’s cricket league.

CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki lauded the department for its commitment to women’s cricket.

“This financial injection demonstrates the department’s commitment to the development of cricket and will aid CSA’s continuous efforts to professionalise women’s cricket in the country,” Moseki said.

“The support by the department shows the development of women’s cricket relies on all of us it is our collective responsibility to commit resources that will assist us in taking the women’s game forward.

“The Proteas have united the country in the most significant way, and the significance of them reaching the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup will ring in the corridors of history for many years to come.

“We hope the incentive awarded by the department to the Momentum Proteas will energise them to elevate their game to the greatest heights and inspire young women from all backgrounds to take up cricket and aspire to compete at the highest levels.”

Meanwhile, North West Cricket Union has secured sponsorship from Glencore Ferroalloys’ Boshoek and Wonderkop smelters to support young, female cricketers from North West.

Through this, the women’s team will now be called the

Glencore Dragons and the union’s acting CEO Ismail Minty said the sponsorship would go a long way in developing women’s cricket in the province.

“That is indeed something to take pleasure in because it is a stamp of trust in the team’s abilities. Women’s cricket has taken off and partnerships like these reflect the efforts taken to make sure it grows to new heights.