South African cricketers urged to clinch TriNations series

Trinidad & Tobago Newsday article.

Thami Ngwevela, South Africa’s High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, charged the touring South African cricketers to “do your magic and bring the Tri-Nations trophy home”.

Those were her words to the South Africans cricketers who were felicitated at a welcome reception hosted by the South African Embassy, based in Port of Spain, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Friday evening.

Among the dignitaries present were the High Commissioner of Australia to Trinidad and Tobago and Caribbean John Philbean, Deputy High Commissioner of Australia Tracey Haynes, High Commissioner of India to TT Gauri Shankar Gupta, Organisation of American States (OAS) representative Riyad Insanally, South African High Commission’s first secretary (corporate services) Rowland Hopley and South African High Commission’s counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission Jurgens Young who co-ordinated the function.

Ngwevela stressed that, “although West Indies have taken all the trophies recently, I want you to believe in yourselves and do your magic and bring home the trophy. All of South Africa will be watching and wishing that you do well in the West Indies.

“It will be a tough slug but I am sure that you all can do it. I don’t watch much cricket but I will be watching your matches and I know that I will enjoy them.” She added that, “we are happy to help make your stay in Trinidad and Tobago a happy one. And don’t be discouraged by not having a big fan base here in the Caribbean. Please play to your best and I know you will make us proud.

“I know that you are in camp and that you eat healthy. You watch what you eat and the amount that you take and everything that go with the regime. We wish everyone all the best. “ Dr Mosajee Mohammed, manager of the South African team, expressed deep gratitude being in the Caribbean with the South African team and said: “The Proteas enjoy touring these parts.

Most of us support West Indies cricket teams when our team is not playing. Most of our players look up to West Indian legends. There is a deep connection between these two teams and Trinidad and Tobago reflects the diversity that we have back home in South Africa.” South Africa, Australia and hosts West Indies will be battling for top honours in the Tri-Nations series which starts in Guyana with three matches on June 3, 5 and 7.

The action switches over to the Warner Park in St Kitts for another three matches while the final four (including the final) will be contested at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.

First Published In The Trinidad & Tobago Newsday.