Ngidi’s home team is tops
WE MUST thank Lungi Ngidi’s mentors and supporters, not only for babysitting him but also for giving him the inspiration he needed to achieve his success (The Independent on Saturday, It takes a village… January 20).
He is recognised nationally and internationally as an excellent bowler. He is tall, mean and fast.
His humility and popularity as a role model will benefit youngsters and encourage them to continue playing cricket.
He has bowled up a storm for the Proteas against India.
Watching him at the press conference, his self confidence and maturity have surprised many sports lovers.
Ngidi must never give up on his dreams; keep up the form in the national team. To his parents, mentors and all who helped make him a successful cricketer, remember: neither earth nor heaven can repay spontaneous aid.
Clare Estate
IT IS encouraging to see the introduction of Video Assistant Referee Technology (VAR) into football.
The Fifa president recently announced that VAR would be used for the World Cup in Russia this year.
Sometimes teams get knocked out of the tournament because of unfair decisions made by the referees and their assistants.
The England FA president has also announced the introduction of VAR technology for Premier League games.
Other major leagues like Germany’s Bundesliga and the Italian Serie A are are also introducing this technology into soccer games. Other countries are sure to follow.
The millions of soccer crazy fans worldwide should welcome the VAR technology.
How many times have we witnessed referees and their assistants making incorrect decisions related to awarding of penalties and linesmen flagging for offsides.
Remember when Bafana Bafana was made to replay the World Cup qualifying game against Senegal and were subsequently eliminated from the competition? The disgraced soccer referee who officiated that game was banned. The replay might not have happened if VAR technology was used.
The days of players feigning dives to get awarded penalties and free kicks will soon be over.
If similar technology to VAR works well for rugby and cricket, it must be implemented for soccer in fairness to all involved.