The United Cricket Board of South Africa and Bakers Biscuits announced today that the Bakers Sponsorship of Mini Cricket and the Coaches Academy is being renewed at R13 million over three years.

The sponsorship of the Bakers Mini Cricket programme and the Bakers Coaches Academy is no regular sponsorship as it is the longest standing amateur cricket sponsorship in South Africa. This year the sponsorship turns 19 years old and will be implemented over the next three years. This will be followed by a fitting celebration of it's grand 21st birthday during the Cricket World Cup.

The cheque for R13 million was handed over by Cliff Sampson, Managing Director of National Brands, producers of Bakers Biscuits, to Gerald Majola CEO of the United Cricket Board of South Africa. The ceremony was held during the lunch break of the International Cricket test between South Africa and India, on the field at Supersport Park cricket ground, Centurion.

Gerald Majola, CEO of the United Cricket Board of South Africa, said, "This sponsorship has a great history in that it played an instrumental role in assisting with the unifying of cricket during difficult times. The loyalty of Bakers Biscuits has also paid off in the national playing arena, as the sponsorship has produced tangible results in the form of national and provincial cricketers such as Mark Boucher, Makhaya Ntini, Mfuneko Ngam and many more.

"The UCB appreciates the long standing support of Bakers Biscuits and we look forward to working together to ensure that the Bakers Mini Cricket and Coaches Academy programmes enjoy continued success."

Maxwell Jordaan, Director of Amateur Cricket, said," The game of cricket transcends the lines of race, affluence and gender, which has been made possible through the cricket development programme with the help of vehicles such as the Bakers Mini Cricket and Bakers Coaches Academy. They provide the gateway to cricket for many children and adults all over South Africa.

"The programmes uplift and empower the people within communities by setting up opportunities in coaching, playing and administration. This is the true testament of the constant value added, by the Bakers Biscuits Sponsorship, to South African society."

The launch of the sponsorship was celebrated with over 150 Bakers Mini Cricketers and coaches from schools affiliated to the Northerns Cricket Union taking part. They joined in the fun by throwing gifts to the crowd and participating in skills drills during the lunch break.

Cliff Sampson, when handing over the cheque to the UCBSA, stated, " We are proud of the long history of the Bakers Biscuits sponsorship and of the waves of change that it has made in communities throughout South Africa. These changes have certainly formed a positive bond between Bakers Biscuits and consumers; however, the main objective of this sponsorship has always been and still remains; to teach the children of South Africa the joy of playing together so that they can work together.

"Through our dual sponsorship we continue to teach thousands of children and adults from all communities the joy of playing and teaching sport, the real value of teamwork and to learn self-confidence. This is what we call giving people a real sporting chance."

Bakers Mini Cricket is played by over 90 000 children per year nationally while the Bakers Coaches Academy has seen over 30 000 coaches graduate since it's inception.

© United Cricket Board of South Africa