The Diamantveld Cricket Festival returns to Kimberley for its second year and has doubled in size.

Top cricket teams from all over South Africa have been invited to participate and 18 teams will battle for the trophy. “In 2023, there were nine participating teams, and this year the tournament has grown to 18,” said Diamantveld High School communications officer, Janco Steenkamp.

Among others, Potch Volkskool, Grey College, Paul Roos Gymnasium, Queens College, Paarl Boishaai and Garsfontein High School will participate in the tournament.

From the Northern Cape, Diamantveld will be hosting St. Patrick’s CBC and Kalahari, while a Northern Cape HUB team will also be participating in the tournament.

The tournament will be taking place at the Northern Cape Oval, as well as various Sol Plaatje University sports grounds.

“We are very grateful that Northern Cape Cricket is once again making the Oval available to us and our tournament also has the approval and full support of Cricket SA. We are also grateful to Sol Plaatje University for making their fields available to us,” said Steenkamp.

Cricket Festival Poster with the top teams participating. Picture supplied

This tournament promises to also boost the economy of Kimberley with all the fans who will be supporting the cricket teams.

“We did get business from the people who came for cricket last year so it does have a good impact on our business. We get many customers from around the country, and we’re expecting to have more customers this year,” said Villa Mexicana Guest House owner, Glyn Phiri.

The tournament will take place from 3 to 6 October, and the public is invited to support their favourite teams.

OFM News/Casey-Lee Anthony cg