In 1989, Advocate Ngumbela started the Ngumbela Cricket Tournament in his rural areas (Alice and Fort Beaufort) in order to remove children from the streets during the festive season.
The rural areas residents spent time playing and watching games. The cricket spectators filled up the cricket fields and enjoyed the entertainment and interaction.
What inspired him to start this tournament amongst other things was his passion for the game he loved so much and the desire to develop good cricketers who would not be able to make a mark in South African cricket.
The Ngumbela tournament is well known and has played a massive role in South African Cricket as it assisted to unearth the raw black African talent in the Eastern Cape.
Eastern Cape Iinyathi players, Jerry Nqolo, Mncedisa Malika and others like Vuyisa Makhapela, Mthiwekhaya Nabe and Bhongelwethu Makeleni who are products of his tournaments.
He sponsored these tournaments for over 30 years from his own pocket. He built the clubhouse, pitches, playing grounds, nets and accommodation for this tournament. Ngumbela Park has been developed to a state-of-the art stadium.
His contribution to cricket could not be quantified, as he touched so many lives, but he will always be remembered for his generosity, passion for the game and determination for getting the job done.
It is time for us to honour his legacy.
Border Cricket and the Ngumbela Family will be hosting the Ngumbela Legacy Cup in his honour. Border Cricket would like to continue and build on the legacy left by “Baw'uNdlovu” Ngumbela to change a community through the love of the game of cricket.
The Cricket Festival is planned for 14 September and will be held in Healdtown at the Ngumbela Oval.
Fixtures
10am: Champs from Alice: Tubs v Champs from Fort Beaufort: Lamyeni Hard Catch
2pm: Eastern Cape Iinyathi v Dafabet Warriors
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