Corporate Quick Cricket Indoor League a huge success
The final match of the 2023 Corporate Quick Cricket Indoor League took place at the Pupkewitz Motors Sports Centre in Windhoek on 30 September 2023. The Capricorn Wealth Warriors emerged as the 2023 winners, with CIC Pirates coming in second, and DoorTech Sixers third.This was the peak of a 6-month season that kicked off in April 2023, with 15 teams playing each other twice in a 16-over game (8 overs per side).
Since the tournament is designed for adults and corporates who would like to experience cricket on a social level, the current u/19 or men's Namibia national team players could not participate, and only four players per team, from the ages of 18 and older were allowed to participate.
A total of 196 games were played throughout the season.
The format of the game is similar to standard indoor action cricket, where each team bowls and bats 8 overs. Each player has to bowl 2 overs, and each batting pair bats 4 overs. Running between the wickets results in runs, and hitting side nets results in bonus runs. Each game spans only 40 minutes.
Founder and organiser of the tournament, Craig Williams, said it has been a great season, and all 15 teams showed good teamwork and sportsmanship. Craig said they are already looking forward to the fourth season, which will take place in 2024.
“We played two seasons last year and decided to play one long season this year to give teams more time to play. The format works well with corporates as the captains get to choose when they want to play their games. We make the facility available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays and provide all equipment, balls, umpires and scorers. So, players just turn up and enjoy all the benefits of playing cricket in a safe indoor environment. Season 4 will be even better, and it looks as if we will have more than 20 teams entering,' said Williams.
The competition is all about having fun, building relationships, getting fit, improving one's well-being, and bringing people together through sport.
One of a kind
He noted that the facility is the only one of its kind in Namibia and was designed and constructed to accommodate the Pupkewitz Toyota Cricket Academy, which currently has over 90 boys and girls from the ages of 5 to 19 attending.
The Cricket Academy gives junior aspiring cricketers the opportunity to develop and improve their skills in preparation to represent Namibia at a national level. The Quick Cricket Indoor League was started to help with the costs of running the Cricket Academy, and Williams is proud to announce that for the fourth year in a row, the academy fees will stay the same, which is a testament to the support they receive from their sponsors and the 15 teams who entered.
Nedbank Namibia Marketing Manager, Reliance Biwa, attended the finals and praised Pupkewitz Motors for the incredible event.
“Nedbank Namibia is proud to be one of the major sponsors of the Corporate Quick Cricket Indoor League finals. It gave us an opportunity to connect with our clients on a deeper level and discuss some of our market-leading digital platforms.
“Just like in cricket where every run counts, every financial decision matters at Nedbank Namibia. On the day, we saw the players exhibit teamwork, determination, and resilience. We would like to thank Pupkewitz Motors for hosting such a remarkable event. Congratulations to the winners, and everyone else who came out on the day to play and enjoy the event,” she said.
Nedbank Namibia through Avo SuperShop, gave shopping vouchers to the following, Best Fielder Hendry Heyns, Best Bowler, Franco Opperman, and Best Batsmen Winmar Rust.
The tournament’s sponsors included Pupkewitz Motors, Nedbank Namibia, Avo SuperShop, PayToday, DStv, Coca-Cola, Powerade, Nictus, Castle Lite (senior events only), Ricoh, MFG Design, Paratus, CRVW, Inova Pharmaceuticals, and Neo Paints.