Makhaya Ntini helps mark historic day for cricket in Rwanda

'Cricket is bringing people together in Rwanda after a troubled past. For too long Rwanda’s small but growing cricket community has been held back by a lack of facilities'

While the first words were being written on England’s tour of South Africa – as it began in Pochefstroom – some 1700 miles away, in the outskirts of Rwanda’s capital Kigali, an altogether more important venture was getting underway.

In Gahanga, seven kilometres from the city centre, and with the help of former South African international Makhaya Ntini, construction began on Rwanda’s first international cricket stadium.

The symbolic groundbreaking ceremony took place at the site of Rwanda’s future ‘home of cricket’ – a project that will see the construction of two cricket pitches, practice facilities and a state of the art pavilion.

The construction is the work of the Rwanda Cricket Stadium Foundation (RCSF), a British-based charity, and will form a base for them alongside the Rwanda Cricket Association, as well as providing an educational space and free HIV testing for the local community.

With the construction of the pitch due to begin in early 2016, the first match at the ground is scheduled for 2017, with Prime Minister David Cameron as well as West Indies legend Brian Lara – both patrons of the charity – pencilled in for the inaugural game.

RCSF’s new Project Director is Alby Shale, son of Christopher Shale, described as ‘a close and valued friend’ of Cameron, who died in 2011 and in whose memory the foundation was established – with the aim of realising his vision of building a proper home for cricket in Rwanda.

Speaking about the project, Alby Shale said: “Cricket is bringing people together in Rwanda after a troubled past. For too long Rwanda’s small but growing cricket community has been held back by a lack of facilities.

“We are building this ground to provide a permanent home for the sport and facilitate community reconciliation through cricket. All Rwandans, from all different backgrounds, will have the opportunity to use the facility.

“We are extremely excited to move into the construction stage of the project and our success will be measured by the legacy we leave behind.”

In 2013, Shale broke the world record for the longest continuous batting net, batting for 26 hours at the indoor school at The Oval, to raise awareness and funds for the charity.

The RCSF was also involved in setting the record for the highest game of cricket ever played, 5,752m up, near the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro – a 2014 expedition that included Ntini, the first black South African to represent his country at cricket.

Ntini said: “It is great to see the RCSF investing in Rwanda’s future, enhancing its sporting landscape and helping to spread the game I love.

“Investing in facilities will build on the excellent work of the Rwanda Cricket Association and allow as many people as possible to take up the game. I look forward to seeing Rwanda taking on South Africa very soon!”

The foundation hope the ground will be operational by the beginning of 2017, a date when Rwanda can start to write its own cricketing history.

To find out more about the Rwandan Cricket Stadium Foundation and their work, visit http://www.rcsf.org.uk