Cricket South Africa to honour Jacques Kallis
Cricket South Africa will pay a special tribute to legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis on the occasion of the New Age Cup T20 International match between the Proteas and India at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium on March 30.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: March 05, 2012 03:14 PM IST
Cricket South Africa will pay a special tribute to legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis on the occasion of the New Age Cup T20 International match between the Proteas and India at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium on March 30.
"We want to make this a Jacques Kallis evening in which we acknowledge his huge contribution to the Proteas and South African cricket generally as player, role model and mentor," CSA CEO Gerald Majola said. "He has been a wonderful ambassador throughout his career that has just entered its 17th year and is showing no sign of coming to a close.
"It is highly appropriate that we should honour him while he is still at the height of his powers. As a cricketer he is unique both in terms of statistics and the role he has filled in the Proteas' team. The only comparable all-rounder the world has seen is the great Sir Garfield Sobers and even he only batted in the top four for the first half of his career," Majola added.
As part of their tribute, CSA will make a special donation to the Jacques Kallis Scholarship Foundation. "We will be making a special donation to the Jacques Kallis Scholarship Foundation which as we all know is Jacques' own outstanding contribution to enabling underprivileged youngsters to live their dreams on the cricket field," ha said.
Kallis, one of the best all-rounders of all time, said he felt humbled and honoured to be given this tribute. "It is something I really appreciate. Cricket South Africa has given me wonderful opportunities to live the dream I have had from the moment I picked up a cricket bat for the first time."
"Playing for the Proteas has always been a huge privilege and I would also like to thank our loyal fans and sponsors who have supported me every step of the way," Kallis said.
"I have also been fortunate to avoid career-threatening injuries or illness and I am most grateful for that as well. I believe I still have plenty of petrol left in the tank and look forward to representing my country for some time to come," he added.