Bowled over helping the youngsters

FAROEK Seedat has been involved in cricket for more than four decades.

Down the years he has served as a player, umpire and coach in his home town of Ladysmith. Even at the age of 60, his passion for the game still burns brightly.

The head coach of KZN Cricket Coaching works with youngsters aged 4-10 in the popular mini-cricket format.

Seedat has coached the likes of former Proteas fast bowler Yusuf Abdullah and KwaZulu-Natal Inland stars, Sohail Razack and Kurtlyn Mannikam.

“The northern KZN region has a wealth of talent,” he said. “There is a genuine love for the game here and I believe with the right coaching we can produce many more players who can go on to play professionally.”

The popular Agra Grounds in Ladysmith come alive every weekend as Seedat puts almost 40 young players through their paces.

According to the veteran, the region receives no financial support from the parent body, KZN Inland.

“We do not get anything from the union,” he says. “Coaches do not come here at all, so something has to be done for these kids.”

Seedat believes the mini-cricket philosophy is the best way to introduce kids to the game.

“We want to prepare kids for hard ball cricket,” he said. “This gives them a great start. Fitness is important to us. The kids do drills on ladders and hurdles because you have to be physically ready. We also want them to have fun and enjoy what they are doing.”

Seedat began as a player for the Northern Districts Cricket Union. When his playing days were over, he began umpiring Premier League games for the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union.

He said: “I worked at Inland cricket for years before I grew tired of the lack of opportunities. Three years ago, I opted to start coaching and I have not looked back.

“I enjoy working with kids. When I see players that I coached on television, it gives me great joy knowing that I helped make a difference in their lives.”

He dreams of turning his coaching school into a full academy one day.