THE All Stars Energy Park Cricket Tournament returns on April 4 with 44 junior teams playing T20, a field ambulance from the sponsor on site, and a stronger development focus for boys and girls from Under-9 to Under-19.
Abera Turk, executive director for Energy Park Bulk fuels (Pvt) Ltd, said the plan was deliberate.
“For us, it’s very intentional. If you want to make a real difference, you have to start at grassroots level. Supporting players from Under-9 all the way to Under-19 allows us to be part of that full development journey—not just at the top, but right from the beginning," she told The Sports Hub.
"Cricket teaches discipline, resilience, teamwork—those are life skills, not just sporting skills. At Energy Park, we see this as more than sponsorship. It’s part of our responsibility to contribute to youth development, community upliftment, and creating positive pathways for young people in Zimbabwe."
Energy Park made their sponsorship debut last year and are keen to surpass what they did in 2025.
"Last year really opened our eyes to the level of talent and passion coming through at grassroots level. What we learned very quickly is that these young players don’t just need sponsorship—they need structure, consistency, and a professional environment to grow in," Turk added.
"We also saw how important the experience is for families and coaches, not just the players.
“So in 2026, we’re focusing on improving the overall standard of the tournament—better organisation, smoother scheduling, and stronger engagement with academies and coaches. We want it to feel more structured, more professional, and ultimately more impactful."
She added that as they build up to the second year sponsoring and fourth edition of the games, for her company it is about moving from simply supporting an event to building something sustainable that grows year after year.
“At the end of the day, if we can inspire even a few of these young players to believe in their potential, then we’ve done something meaningful. For us, branding is actually the smallest part of it," Turk said.
"What matters is the experience and the opportunities we create for the players.
This year, we’re focused on creating a more professional and well-run tournament environment, giving players greater exposure and visibility, supporting the structures around them—coaches, academies, and families.
"We are also working towards expanding into things like coaching clinics, mentorship, and stronger partnerships with schools over time. The goal is simple: every player should leave the tournament feeling like they’ve grown, been recognised, and are motivated to take their game further.”
Tournament coordinator Phillimon Kadziche said retaining Energy Park shifted the focus to broader growth of their developmental games.
“Retaining Energy Park lets us shift from gratitude to ambition, year four is about deeper roots—more teams, better safeguarding, and a clear link between junior cricket and school sport," Kadziche said.
“Energy Park’s commitment means we can focus on what matters—safe venues, trained umpires, and making sure cost never locks talent out.”
“The tournament started small. Holding our lead sponsor for a second year shows families—and us—that this is now a fixture, not a favour.”
