Amateur cricket in the Western Cape has received a cash injection to the tune of R5m from financial new-comer to the South African marketplace JAG Investment Group.
The beneficiary, Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA), currently facilitates the participation of more than 25 000 amateur cricketers in the province, as well as six representative teams from U13 upwards.
The announcement was made yesterday (Tuesday 3 April) at the launch of the JAG Sports and Education Foundation.
The financial backing represents a significant proportion of WPCA’s R30 m/year group operational costs, which include those costs of the professional team of the Cape Cobras (sponsored by Nashua) and the historic Sahara Park Newlands stadium.
The naming rights sponsorship of Western Province amateur teams by JAG Investment Group is the first of its kind in the country and something JAG’s owner and Managing Director Greg James feels strongly about.
“We are passionate about socio-economic upliftment and I believe sport is invaluable in achieving this goal,” says James.
James has personal experience of the positive effects sport can have on body and mind. Says the 42-year-old James: “In 2000 I weighed 120kg and was feeling constantly drained. I decided to make a change.”
By 2004 James had lost 30kg and was competing in world-class events like the Hawaii Iron Man triathlon and the Two Oceans Ultra-marathon, as well as cycling with the likes of Lance Armstrong and George Hincapie in Canada’s Tour of Courage.
James in convinced that the physical and mental invigoration of sport and exercise provides an attractive alternative to drugs and gangsterism for kids who may not have had an option otherwise. In this respect, JAG’s partnership with WPCA to support amateur cricketers could be instrumental in offering underprivileged youth an alternative to life on the streets.
To this end JAG Investment Group has established the JAG Sports and Education Foundation and has also contributed significantly to last year’s Homeless World Cup’s funding, among other projects.
But JAG does not intend to simply hand over the money and relax. James will be a board director in cricket for a five-year period, to offer his financial and administrative expertise at all levels. Says James: “One of the conditions of the JAG’s sponsorship is that we are actively involved in the allocation and the spending of the money. I think our skills in finance and budgeting can be put to good use by the recipient of the sponsorship.
President of WPCA Mohamed Ebrahim agrees. “JAG’s sponsorship comes at an important moment in the history of the Association – during a season when we will be celebrating the 120th year of Sahara Park Newlands.
A company of the quality of JAG Investment Group coming on board alongside the professional team and stadium sponsors is a sign of business confidence in the future of cricket in this province.”
Shukri Conrad, Nashua Cape Cobras Coach, says, “JAG Sports and Education will play an important role in helping cricket continue to raise the bar in the Western Cape, which has always been one of the main nurseries for South African cricket.”
Source: Cape Cobras Official website, April 04 2007
Contact Information:
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