Promising cricket career (and a backup plan) for Tumelo Banda

Tumelo Banda’s love for travelling is what introduced him to the sport he enjoys so much.

When he was younger, the promising young cricketer roamed the streets of Tzaneen in Limpopo, where he saw some of his friends travelling a lot thanks to cricket, and he was immediately hooked.

“At first I didn’t know about cricket. When the KFC Mini-Cricket tournament came to school I just loved how other guys were travelling when I was just staying at school the whole day,” Banda said.

In 2008, when he was in grade 2 at Bombeleni Primary School in Nkowankowa, Banda was first introduced to the tournament.

“That is how I joined cricket.”

From that point on his love for the game led him to develop his cricketing skills.

“I started playing with the hard ball and then slowly learnt about the game.”

He then went for the provincial Limpopo trials when he was nine but luck was not in his side.

“Unfortunately I didn’t make it there, but the following year I made it.”

When Banda was 12 he met Titans player Alfred Mothoa, who helped him join Prestige College in Hammanskraal.

“He saw potential in us,” beamed the all-rounder.

Prestige College has become the centre of cricket development especially for black youngsters around Soshanguve, Atteridgeville and Mamelodi.

Some of the highlights of Banda’s sporting career was when he won the best batsman at the Grootvlei Tournament and when he reached an average of 70 runs at a school league.

Banda is currently playing for the Northerns at the Under-19 Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week in Rondebosch, Cape Town.

After winning the first match on Sunday against KwaZulu-Natal Inland and playing a draw against Western Province on Monday, he believes his team can go all the way to the final match on Thursday.

They are currently playing Namibia at Rondebosch High School.

Despite a promising cricket career, Banda will be studying towards a degree next year.

“I would like to be a professional cricketer but if it doesn’t go well but I am studying pharmacy next year with University of North West.”