Duduza cricket player (70) inspires future cricketers while seeking spot on national team

Duduza – At 70, Douglas Sibali is pursuing a spot on the national cricket team for himself and others.

“I started playing this game when I was nine, using tennis balls and self-made wooden planks as bats.

“We played matches anywhere there was open space and organised competitions among the different teams.

“When I was introduced to hard cricket, it was easy to adjust and get used to the pain caused by the ball. I became competitive enough to be included in the senior team. I am one of the lucky cricketers who played this game with their dads.

“I played in many tournaments representing different provinces but never against whites because there were different races.”

Sibali had to endure racial segregation obstacles when advancing his career.

“Blacks were allowed by the government of the day to play against Indians and coloureds but not whites because that was forbidden until we broke the barriers.

“When I joined the Nigel Cricket Club, it was not easy for me and the club’s captain, who allowed me to come and play with them.

“He had to attend the town council meeting to inform them about my presence as a player and for me to be allowed to use the municipality’s facility as a black person.

“I was a genuine all-rounder off note, good enough to compete against anyone provided the playing field was levelled.

“Ultimately, the council gave me the go-ahead, and the club had to inform the other municipalities about my involvement beforehand. I used to play on weekends for Nigel CC and Max XI,” he explained.

Eventually, Sibali stopped playing and started coaching.

“In 1985, I committed myself to coaching cricket at Edalinceba Primary School and started with U11 and U13 boys.

“Victor Mofokeng was one of the first U13 provincial players produced in Duduza.

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“Many boys did well in this game, more teams were produced, and school fixtures against white schools were honoured,” he added.

The Duduza Cricket Club was formed and registered in 1993.

“My ambition was to work hard and get at least one boy to the top of the pile where I couldn’t because of the system of government. It is one of my proudest moments to announce that I reached that goal,” he said of Mangaliso Mosehle, also from Duduza, who became a Protea. He was a wicketkeeper for SA’’s U19 squad for the 2008 World Cup in Malaysia.

Sibali is a level three coach, capable of coaching senior provincial players. He also plays for The Sixties, a club in the Titans Veterans League.

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