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Cricket World Cup 2011
We can be there!
Zully Rehematullah is credited with single-handedly spearheading the growth
of cricket in Tanzania. In June 2001, Tanzania became a member of the
International Cricket Council, a formal recognition for it in the global
cricketing arena. In this interview with The Express, Zully explains just
why is he optimistic about the future of the game in Tanzania.
The Express: How did you get into cricket?
Zully: Well I have always been a sports lover and in 1996 a group of
people, who had confidence in me, convinced me to take up the position of
assistant secretary in the Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA). In 1999, I
was chosen to lead TCA.
The Express: Cricket development has been cited as a success story in
Tanzania. What are the major ingredients and how have you managed to achieve
this?
Zully: When I took over as TCA chairman in 1999, I initiated a
development programme that entailed visiting primary schools to teach
cricket and impart the knowledge of the game to the majority of Tanzanians
along side providing equal opportunity. That programme, I believe, has
propelled the growth of the game in the country.
The Express: What are the major achievements you are proud of?
Zully: I am proud that during my tenure, Tanzania became an associate
member of the International Cricket Council in June 2001. After more then
100 years of cricket being played in our country, it was not an easy job.
Secondly, Tanzania became the first country in East and Central Africa to
build a cricket academy at the Muhimbili Primary School. The association has
also built a full-size cricket ground at Sokoine University of Agriculture
in Morogoro region. Tanzanian women's team are the champions of East Africa
and became African champions this year in April. Apart from all these, I
feel the biggest achievement that has given me a personal satisfaction is to
be able to sustain the development programme for the past four years and to
see local Tanzanian children playing cricket with great enthusiasm. I
believe we can bring a lot of pride and honour to our country through the
game of cricket.
The Express: Any failures?
Zully: So far, we don't have any failure unless losing games in a
tournament is considered a failure.
The Express: When do you think will Tanzania qualify for the World Cup?
Zully: Tanzania should not be surprised to see the national team
playing in the World Cup in the year 2011. In fact, the chances of our
women's nationalteam to play the World Cup are even better.
The Express: Isn't cricket a sport that only Asians and the English play?
Zully: Well, the game of cricket was introduced in our country by
British settlers and is known as the Queen's game, but today we are talking
about globalising the game and the opportunity is there for all of us.
The Express: Who are our promising stars?
Zully: The upcoming stars from our development programme are Hamisi
Abadalla, Khalil Rehemtulla, Benson Mwita, Issa Kikasi, Hussein Mohmed,
Nabeel Premji, Abik Patwa, Athumani Kikonzi, Omary and Riziki. They are all
the rising stars in the boys category. Among the girls, we have Aneth Banali,
Monica Pascal, Hawa Salum, Saida, Angelina, Kurwa, Zarubia, Asha Daudi and
Hadija Salum.
The Express: How much time do you put in a day to develop cricket?
Zully: Well, I thing I have devoted all my time to the development of
cricket and it is indeed a mammoth task - it cannot be done part time.
The Express: For some one who wants to learn cricket where can s/he go? Do
schools teach cricket?
Zully: Well, if s/he is an adult they can join the clubs. We do have
mini-cricket festival in regions where we identify some talented players and
select them for junior elite training at the Muhimbili Cricket Academy. We
also have level 1 and level 2 coaches who visit municipal primary schools to
teach cricket.
The Express: What qualities do international players and teams possess that
we are working towards?
Zully: Well, our players are only lacking experience and we need to
programme more tours for them and make them play as many games as possible.
The Express: How do you see the future? What challenges await you?
Zully: The future of cricket looks quite bright but my fear is if we
do not think of building the infrastructure from now we might face some
major problems, especially in regard to playing facilities.
The Express: What is the single most important quality you have that has
helped Tanzania to progress this far in cricket?
Zully: Although I have not played sports at a high level, I loved
sports from a very early age and have played many sports, from soccer to bao.
In my young days, I was the captain of Chang'ombe Boy, both its
soccer and cricket teams. I was also the vice captain for my school
Mzizima's cricket team in late sixties. I also belonged to the group that
initiated the Sunday soccer bonanza for veterans which is still being played
at Kinondoni grounds.
The Express: Are you married? Are your children interested in cricket?
Zully: Yes I am married with four children. And yes, my two sons love
cricket and in fact my elder son who is 19 is the opening bowler for the
national team. My youngest son loves spin bowling and fancies himself as
Harbhajan Singh, India's best spin bowler!
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