Cricket at MAP 2009

By A. Matshiya

Ordinarily a school with out a cricket pitch would not offer cricket. However, it is the Maru-a -Pula way not to stop at the first hurdle. The school has nets and hence much time is spent on batting practice. As it happens batting is our strength and that has served us well against local schools.

This season the U15 team took part in two tournaments and a festival. The first of the tournaments was the Botswana championship which was held at The Learning Centre School in early October. Maru-a-Pula was victorious in all their matches in the round robin event which involved five schools. The U15 team was captained by Dilan Sridan, who is an all rounder and a shrewd strategist! The team which consisted of more than half form ones, was a young one but full of talent and energyl. Huzaifa Babar was a reliable simmer(fast bowler) and pinch-hitter all season. At the Learning Centre the team had the services of two veterans in the form of Sundesh Perreira and Jathukulan. The two batted well and set good platforms from which the juniors could build.

The following weekend the team travelled to Francistown for an international tournament involving Botswana and Zimbabwe schools at John Mackenzie School. Our first game was against Petra school from Bulawayo. Petra proved too strong for our young team despite having a girl in their team and Govind Gopikumar putting up a brave 45 runs. However after that setback MAP recovered and went on to win The Plate following victories against GIS and Crescent school.

The festival in Mafikeng marked the third weekend of cricket on the trot for the team. Fatigue was setting in and this showed in the field. The boys were sluggish and dropped crucial catches. The team lost to Issa and Mafikeng High but beat Sol Plaatjie. Govind’s confidence was at its peak after the previous week’s antics. He stood out once more and was the undisputed prize batsman for our team.

It was a short but intense season that saw our cricket grow and our cricketers mature. Next year should see another good season of cricket for Dilan and the boys.

SPORTS RAISON D’ETRE

Eish! Its now time for a break from the exhausting term of sports, and I can bet some of you are are thinking, “I am never doing squash!” Whatever the case may be, I still ponder why sports still exists, and nothing crosses the back of my mind either than entertainment and health. Having said that, my challenge to you this term is to engage yourself in to sports, try to keep healthy while enjoying. Clearly there’s no better experience than that. So draw the line between fit and fat.

SPRINGBOKS

Its funny how the Botswana National Rugby team, the Vultures is growing and gradually finding a spot in the hearts of the locals. Well to put things into perspective, we are a small fish in a big pond as compared to the world. However this on its own is a silver lining for future success because our neighbours South Africa are the champions of the world! Hello..? Inspiration is at our door! The springboks are undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with, and so should this should serve as a hall mark for our local senior team. This is like saying in soccer terms that Kaka or Christiano Ronaldo is a border away! So let us take pride and support local rugby who knows we might be soon swimming with the big fishes. First stop the conquerors!

EAGLES

From me it’s nothing but praise. The Eagles (MAP senior basketball team) have for 18 years now proven to be the undisputed national champions. Honestly, eighteen years screams out loud enough for their foes to back down! Now one thing that fascinates me is the way they have humbled themselves and focused on nothing but defending their shining record from being broken. Thumbs up to them and most importantly the working staff that has contributed to this illustrious performance. Maruapula School is more than humbled by their courage and steadfast approach to the game. Well done gents!