The official handover ceremony took place on Tuesday, 24 February at the CSA Centre of Excellence at the University of Pretoria Sport Campus, says the brand.

The donation follows the Betway SA20 Season 4 competition, which challenged South Africans to guess how many cricket balls were packed inside a branded Suzuki Swift vehicle displayed at SA20 matches nationwide. The car, which contained 8 363 cricket balls, became a feature of the tournament and aimed to capture the imagination of fans across the country, adds the brand.

For every entry received, Suzuki committed to contributing R1 towards cricket development. With just under 140 000 entries logged during the campaign, the brand fulfilled its pledge with a R140 000 worth of cricket equipment contribution, says the brand.

According to the brand, the cricket hubs identified as beneficiaries of this equipment drive are:

  • Bridgton Hub: Western Cape
  • Duduza Hub: Gauteng
  • Phalaborwa Hub: Limpopo
  • Matlosana Hub: North-West, and
  • Thembalethu Hub: Western Cape.

Working alongside CSA, Suzuki Auto South Africa selected these hubs, which operate as non-profit cricket development organisations. These community-based youth centers play a vital role in improving access to coaching, training facilities and mentorship within their communities, while also feeding into provincial development pathways, says the brand.

The contribution of much-needed equipment aims to strengthen grassroots programmes and inspire the next generation of Proteas and SA20 players, adds the brand.

Brendon Carpenter, the Brand Marketing Manager at Suzuki Auto South Africa, says that the overwhelming public response motivated the brand to expand the campaign's impact beyond the Betway SA20 competition itself.

"We were blown away by the level of participation from cricket fans and wanted to ensure that every entry made a difference. 'Ballin' with Suzuki' was always about celebrating fans, and this extension allows us to give back to the communities that continue to grow the game. Supporting youth cricket development is one of the ways we can help create lasting opportunities for young players across the country."

The participation aimed to not only highlighted the strong connection between Suzuki and local cricket fans but also reinforced the power of sport to unite and uplift communities. By rounding up the total number of entries received, Suzuki's R140 000 contribution aims to reflect its ongoing commitment to using sport as a force for good while supporting the sustainability and growth of cricket in South Africa, says the brand.

'We welcome Suzuki's contribution and their continued commitment to supporting cricket beyond the professional stage. Partnerships like this play a vital role in ensuring cricket continues to grow at the grassroots level," says Edward Khoza, Executive of Domestic Cricket.

Suzuki Auto South Africa continues its aim to position itself as a partner in South African sport, using its platforms to drive meaningful impact beyond the boundary. By investing in grassroots initiatives and youth development, the brand reinforces its commitment to growing the game of cricket sport from grassroots level to future professional pathways, ensuring that cricket remains accessible, inclusive and sustainable, concludes the brand.

For more information, visit www.suzukiauto.co.za. You can also visit Suzuki South Africa on Facebook, or on X.

*Image courtesy of contributor